UPDATED: Brush Fire Burning in Camp Pendleton

Originally posted at 2:27 p.m. Oct. 5, 2013

THIRD UPDATE: A fire burning on Camp Pendleton had scorched 1,000 acres as of 9:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release. 

It was 15 percent contained as of that time, and moving north along the Santa Margarita River. 

More than 200 firefighters from Camp Pendleton and mutual crews were expected to work throughout the evening, base officials stated.

About 230 residents evacuated from O’Neill Heights were provided alternate housing on base for the evening following the fire that was reported at 12:45 p.m. Saturday near the vicinity of Lake O’Neill.

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton has since been reopened after about 30 patients were evacuated earlier in the day to other area hospitals due to a power outage.
--Maggie Avants

SECOND UPDATE: An estimated 250-acre fire burning on Camp Pendleton today prompted authorities to evacuate some residents of a nearby housing area, damaged three buildings and sent smoke billowing into the air that could be seen from several areas in South Orange County.

The non-injury fire was reported about 12:45 p.m. near Lake O'Neill near the center of the post. No estimates on containment were available, according to base officials.

Some residents of the O'Neill Heights housing area were evacuated to the Paige Fieldhouse, base officials said. The nearby De Luz neighborhood was not evacuated, nor was Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

The fire caused minor damage to three buildings, base officials said. Smoke was visible from Interstate 5 in Oceanside, where motorists called 911 as they encountered it. The fire was also visible in Fallbrook and other areas in North County, according to base and fire officials and the California
Highway Patrol.

Camp Pendleton firefighters were dispatched to battle the blaze, as were Cal Fire engines, air tankers and a helicopter, according to base officials and Cal Fire.
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UPDATE: Smoke billowing from a fire burning on Camp Pendleton was visible from several areas in South Orange County this afternoon, authorities said.

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ORIGINAL POST: A brush fire is burning in the southeast corner Camp Pendleton but is visible as far away as the Murrieta/Temecula area.

According to the Pendleton Scout Facebook page, the fire is near Lake O’Neill.

“O'Neill Heights housing has been evacuated. We will post more details as we receive them,” according to the Facebook page.

The Riverside County Fire Department put out a release saying there is no threat to Riverside County.

According to the Camp Pendleton Fire Department’s Facebook page, aircraft and more firefighters are en route.

Cal Fire engines, air tankers and a helicopter have also been dispatched to the scene, according to base officials and Cal Fire.

Patch will have more details as they become available.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.