New Talega Fire sparks, Las Pulgas Fire continues to rage in Camp Pendleton, North County San Diego — all but essential personnel are evacuated per base commander

An eerie smoke covers the sun in Camp Pendleton (c) Aaron Balderson

Though the winds have shifted, fires in San Diego County, and Camp Pendleton burn on.

via Camp Pendleton Scout, photo by Chai Wen Weatherwax – near Stuart Mesa and Ortiz

A new, quickly knocked down vegetation fire was reported in San Diego County, in the Alpine area near the 1400 block of Marshall Road in the East San Diego County community. However, it is the newly sparked Talega Fire (on the San Clemente side of the base), and continuing massive Las Pulgas Fire, still raging in Camp Pendleton.

UPDATE: The Talega Fire is currently listed as 0% contained. “All personnel in the 62 Area, San Onofre Housing Area, and School of Infantry West are hereby ordered to evacuate. SOI-W will evacuate via Basilone Rd West, I-5 South and report to Edson Range. The San Onofre Housing Areas should evacuate via I-5 South and report to the Paige Field house and utilize the San Luis Ray gate.” Per press release from Camp Pendleton Scout at 2:40 p.m.

Main Side of Camp Pendleton (c) Aaron Balderson

A fire was reported in the Talega area of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton at 11:24 a.m. and is listed at 25 acres. Camp Pendleton Scout reported quickly that “All personnel in the 62 Area are to evacuate and head to the Paige Fieldhouse via Christiantos Rd West, I-5 South and HWY CA76.”

On the way out of Camp Pendleton (c) Aaron Balderson

As of 12 p.m., The Commanding General, MCIWEST-MCB of Camp Pendleton directed that all non-essential personnel on board Camp Pendleton be released from duty due to the emergency situation aboard the Base. In addition, there is a shelter in place order for the 22 (Camp Chappo) and 23 areas due to the Las Pulgas Fire.” according to Camp Pendleton Scout’s Facebook information page. 

Billowing Smoke near Camp Pendleton’s Las Pulgas Fire (c) Aaron Balderson

Regarding current conditions, the latest updates of the Las Pulgas fire, first reported at 3:15 p.m Thursday May 15, has grown to 8-thousand acres burned, and 5-percent containment.

Camp Pendleton staff ordered to leave by 12:00 PM May 16, due to three fires burning on base (c) Aaron Balderson

The Tomahawk fire is currently listed at 6,500 acres and 15-percent containment.

Las Pulgas Fire images show leading edge of smoke column in San Diego County (c) Aaron Balderson

The Camp Pendleton evacuation orders remain in effect for Camp Las Pulgas, Camp Margarita, Camp Las Flores, and the MASS-3.

Road Closures include:

• The Las Pulgas gate remains closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
• Stuart Mesa Road north of Assault Craft Unit-5
• Basilone Road from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton to Camp Horno
• Las Pulgas Road
• Ammunition Road aboard Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook

Stay tuned for updates

About Ashley Ludwig

Ashley Ludwig is an Editor for Patch News, Orange County and Los Angeles. She is also an inspirational romantic suspense author.

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