A brush fire charred more than a thousand acres on Camp Pendleton on Thursday and prompted the temporary closure of Interstate 5 in both directions as dry Santa Ana winds pushed flames toward the freeway during evening rush hour.
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The California Highway Patrol closed the entire 16-mile stretch of freeway running through the base, from Harbor Drive in Oceanside north to Basilone Road, shortly after 5 p.m. However, improved conditions prompted CHP to reopen all freeway lanes just before 6 p.m., although officers were prepared to reinstate closures if needed.
CHP officials warned visibility may be affected by heavy smoke in the area.
The blaze, dubbed the Henderson fire, was first reported around 2:30 p.m. on gun ranges near the intersection of Basilone and Las Pulgas roads, Camp Pendleton officials said in a statement posted on Facebook. The fire posed an immediate risk to infrastructure in the area and quickly spread.
The fire was reported to have reached an estimated 1,200 acres as of 6:15 p.m., Camp Pendleton officials said.
About 1,400 Marines were evacuated from a section of Camp Pendleton that houses multiple units and barracks, including the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. The Marines, including units such as the 1st and 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance and Combat Logistics Battalions 11 and 13 and the Combat Logistics Regiment, are headquartered there, said Gunnery Sgt. Victoria Duran.
Cots were being set up for the Marines in another area of the base. However, the evacuation order was lifted around 7:15 p.m., base officials reported.
The fire also caused multiple power outages at Camp Pendleton, officials said. An investigation into the fire’s cause is underway.
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A smoke advisory was issued for North County areas, although the smoke could be seen from much of the county.
Firefighters at one point battled the blaze in temperatures around 90 degrees, with wind speeds reaching 15 to 25 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph out of the northeast, said National Weather Service meteorologist Adam Roser.
On Friday, temperatures could rise to the mid-90s, with gusts reaching as high as 40 mph.
The Las Pulgas Gate was closed to all vehicles, and Las Pulgas Road was closed between Stuart Mesa Road and Brown Street, according to base officials. Stuart Mesa Road to Fire Base Gloria was also closed.
The Amtrak Surfliner was not affected by the fire; Thursday’s trains had already been canceled due to anticipated high tides in the area.
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Staff writer Teri Figueroa contributed to this report.