Fire at Camp Pendleton scorches at least 50 acres

A fire broke out in a training area at Camp Pendleton on Monday, May 18, creating plumes of gray and glowing orange smoke that were visible from distant hillsides.

Officials from the military installation reported that the fire had scorched at least eight acres of vegetation in a Twitter post at 7:50 p.m. It had grown to consume 35 acres by 9:17 p.m., but was spreading slowly at that time. By 10:15 p.m. the fire was measured at 50 acres and was 20% contained, the base said.

Crews from the Camp Pendleton Fire Department were working to contain the blaze.

Further details were not immediately available.

A Twitter user located as far away as Oceanside posted photos of large columns of smoke illuminated from below by flames rising in the hills north of the city.

@nbcsandiego current fire on Camp Pendleton ridge line. View from Oceanside. pic.twitter.com/5H0TKT5bFJ

— Kevin McClain (@kevinmcclain06) May 19, 2020