Camp Pendleton Fires Burn 8,600 Acres, Send Smoke Over Region

CAMP PENDLETON, CA — Multiple fires have scorched thousands of acres on Camp Pendleton, sending thick smoke and ash into surrounding communities in northern San Diego County and southwest Riverside County.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Woodfire has burned 8,600 acres in the Zulu impact area of the base, which is about 5 miles from Fallbrook and 6.6 miles from Oceanside. The India Fire has burned 1,100 acres just outside the impact area. Both fires were 20 percent contained, according to base officials. A fire in the Yankee impact area has also burned 500 acres.

The fires posed no threats to personnel on base or off-base communities, officials said.

The fires, which sparked over the weekend, were initially allowed to burn, while the Camp Pendleton Fire Department monitored the blazes.

A large portion of the training area on the base is designated strictly as impact zones for live-fire training ranges regularly conducted by Marines. Due to the constant live-fire training, fires are common on impact zones but they aren't always put out, according to the base's website.

"The number one reason that we don't engage impact zone fires is for safety," said John Crook, the deputy chief of the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. "We don't want to put anyone in there if we don't have to."

On Tuesday, fires burned in two impact areas, as well as outside of the Zulu impact area, according to 2nd Lt. Charlotte M. Dennis, a spokesperson for the base.

The Camp Pendleton Fire Department addressed the impact area fires, while Cal Fire assisted with the blaze outside of the impact area, Dennis said.

By 6 p.m., the fire burning outside of the impact area had scorched seven acres and was 65 percent contained, according to base officials. Crews worked to mop up the scene.

By 9 p.m., however, the Woodfire had burned 3,00 acres and the India Fire had burned 102 acres. The Woodfire increased thousands of acres due to burn operations, officials said.

Smoke from the fires impacted communities in North County, as well as southwest Riverside County. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department advised residents about the smoke. Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department issued a drift smoke advisory. Smoke was visible as far away as southern Orange County.

The fires sparked amid a heat wave that is expected to last through Thursday in the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Last week, a brush fire sparked in the northeastern reaches of the base, near De Luz Road in Fallbrook. The blaze briefly prompted evacuations and threatened a structure.

Also see:

• Fires Burning On Camp Pendleton Send Smoke Over San Diego Region
• Another Heat Advisory Issued For Oceanside Amid Heat Wave
• Heat Wave To Continue Through Thursday In San Diego County
• Camp Pendleton Fire Briefly Prompts Evacuations In North County