Brush Fire Scorches 1,000 Acres On Camp Pendleton

CAMP PENDLETON, CA – A brush fire sparked Sunday at Camp Pendleton, scorching 1,000 acres on the military base and sending plumes of smoke to surrounding areas.

The blaze broke out on Wilcox Range near the center of the base. The fire was originally reported as three acres around 12:15 p.m. About an hour later, officials said the fire had burned about 100 acres, and by 3:30 p.m., the blaze had spread to more than 600 acres.

Firefighters from North County Fire Protection District helped Camp Pendleton Fire Department battle the flames. By 7 p.m., the fire had burned 1,000 acres and was 50 percent contained, officials said.

All units were released from the area by 4 a.m. Monday. The area, however, will continue to be patrolled, officials said.

Photo credit: Camp Pendleton