Evacuations Ordered After Multiple Fires Reported At Camp Pendleton
CAMP PENDLETON (CBSLA.com) — Evacuations were ordered Wednesday at Camp Pendleton as crews responded to several reported brush fires, authorities said.
A fire was first reported around 9:45 a.m. on Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook located on the southeast side of the base, according to USMC officials.
The Tomahawk fire was an estimated 6,000 acres at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
There was no word on containment or if any structures were being threatened.
As man as three other smaller fires were reported around the 125,000-acre base, including a quarter-acre blaze located near the back gate of the base.
Navy personnel and residents at Camp Pendleton's De Luz Child Development Center as well as personnel in the 33-area were ordered to evacuate. Camp Pendleton's Paige Field house was serving as the evacuation site, officials said.
Officials said personnel in the 14-area were ordered to shelter in place.
Children evacuated from the De Luz complex have been relocated to the Fisher Child Care Center on the Mainside area of the base. Parents can contact the Fisher Child Care Center at (760) 725-0845.
Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School has also been ordered to evacuate.
About a dozen non-essential employees have been evacuated from San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station as a precaution, according to SoCal Edison officials.
The Las Pulgas Gate and Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook Gate are currently closed.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Students at nearby Mission Vista High school just west of Camp Pendleton were safe and being kept indoors, according to school officials.
Rail service was suspended in the San Onofre area as of midday due to the blaze, according to North County Transit District.
Crews were also battling the nearby Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad, which has prompted thousands of evacuations.
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