Camp Pendleton Brushfire Largely Contained After Scorching 3,000 Acres

A fast-moving brushfire sparked on land contained in the Camp Pendleton Base began this Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., scorching about 500 acres by 3:00 p.m. and 2,700 acres by 5:45 p.m, according to USMC Sgt. Darhonda Rodela of the base’s public affairs office. The blaze erupted around the Aliso Canyon area, set off by Marines performing training exercises near the center of the Marine Corps. Station.

Although heavy amounts of smoke from the fire drifted over portions of northern San

The 2008 Camp Pendleton fire

Diego County, fire officials stated that the blaze posed no immediate risk to buildings or residential areas. Camp Pendleton Fire Inspector Bill Glick said in an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune that the fire is expected to be contained as of noon today with no threat to any surrounding structures.

As a precaution, base officials closed Basilone road, between Roblar and Las Pulgas roads, which runs through the area. At 7:25 a.m. this morning, however, the road was reopened and the fire was declared to be 80% contained after having blackened about 3,000 acres of land.

In addition to military firefighters, U.S. Forest Service crews and three helicopters from outside agencies helped to work against the inferno. 1st Lt. Justin Smith said in a statement to KUSI 9 that the blaze was largely no longer an issue. “A lot of headway was made last night and this morning,” the Marine stated.

Camp Pendleton, with its large amounts of dry scrub and woodland, has long been a prime site for wildfires and brushfires, with a new blaze erupting almost every summer. In this case it seems officials have the situation under control and have suggested that all signs indicate that the fire will be contained safely and securely by the end of today at the latest.

Photo from jrylander via flickr