Camp Pendleton's Henderson Fire Scorches 1,404 Acres, Temporary I-5 Closure

CAMP PENDLETON, CA — The fast-moving Henderson Fire continued across Camp Pendleton and surrounding areas Friday with 0% containment, prompting base evacuations and a temporary shutdown of nearby Interstate 5.

The blaze had scorched 1,404 acres by 8:15 p.m. Thursday, according to Cal Fire. It erupted shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday near Basilone and Las Pulgas roads in the western reaches of the Marine Corps installation.

Pushed by easterly winds, the flames rapidly advanced toward populated areas, forcing the closure of a stretch of I-5 between Basilone Road and Harbor Drive. The California Highway Patrol reopened the freeway shortly before 6 p.m., though officials cautioned that additional closures remain possible if conditions worsen.

The fire also forced the closure of Las Pulgas Road between Brown Street and Stuart Mesa Road, alongside the shutdown of the base's Las Pulgas Gate to all traffic except emergency vehicles. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A temporary control center was set up at Paige Field House to house displaced military personnel due to evacuations in the Las Flores Area, Cal Fire said in a Friday morning update.

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