Incendio Mateo Totalmente Controlado Tras Quemar 1,377 Acres en Camp Pendleton y el Bosque Nacional Cleveland ● UPDATING

Firefighters have fully contained the remnants of a week-long wildfire that charred large areas of open terrain on Camp Pendleton and the adjacent Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County. The blaze, which caused no structural damage or injuries, broke out Monday afternoon near San Mateo Creek on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

It then spread through dense vegetation in rugged terrain on the base and into the federally protected San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.

The U.S. Forest Service announced Friday night that Cleveland National Forest firefighters were demobilizing from the Mateo Fire and turning responsibilities over to the Camp Pendleton Fire Department.

Cooling weather overnight and the coastal marine layer aided firefighters in increasing containment to 68 percent, boosting confidence in containment lines. By Saturday, the Watch Duty app reported the fire was 100 percent contained at 1,377 acres, and the incident was being deactivated.

Pendleton firefighters will continue monitoring containment lines and surrounding hillsides for any flare-ups or spotting away from the fire. The USFS stated that further growth into the Cleveland National Forest is not anticipated at this time.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with officials noting it originated in the Yankee Training area of Camp Pendleton near San Mateo Creek.

With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, the USFS reminded the public that all fireworks, including poppers and sparklers, are prohibited on National Forest System lands, including the Cleveland National Forest and developed recreation sites. Fire officials emphasized that, on average, 85 percent of all wildfires are caused by humans, with campfires left unattended or not fully extinguished being a major cause.

Campfires should never be left unattended and should be dead out and cold to the touch before leaving.