A brush fire that ignited Wednesday morning at Camp Pendleton has scorched at least 560 acres, prompting an evacuation order for the base's golf course and evacuation warnings for residential areas in nearby Oceanside, authorities said. The blaze, dubbed the November fire, was reported at 10 a.m.
in the November Training Area near Wire Mountain Housing, according to the Marine Corps Base. By 2:30 p.m., the fire had grown to 560 acres, as confirmed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
Cal Fire and the Camp Pendleton Fire Department are jointly battling the flames using air tankers, helicopters, and ground crews. An evacuation center has been established at El Camino High School, located at 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive in Oceanside, to assist displaced residents.
Evacuation warnings remain in effect for Oceanside neighborhoods along the base's southern perimeter. Onshore winds are pushing smoke east and northeast toward Oceanside, Bonsall, and Fallbrook, prompting an air quality advisory from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.
Residents in these areas, particularly those with respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly, and children, are advised to stay indoors. Rep.
Mike Levin (D-Dana Point) expressed gratitude to firefighters and urged residents to follow all evacuation orders and guidance from local fire authorities. An updated map of evacuation zones is available online.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.