UPDATED: Camp Pendleton Fire: Residents Return Home

Originally posted at 7:47 a.m. Oct. 6, 2013.

Residents of a Camp Pendleton housing area evacuated as firefighters worked to contain a blaze that has consumed an estimated 1,500 acres will be allowed to return to their homes this evening, base officials said.

About 230 residents of the O'Neill Heights housing area were evacuated to the Paige Fieldhouse Saturday, base officials said. At 5 p.m. today, displaced Marines and their families will be allowed to return to the housing area via Santa Margarita Road leading to Sequoia and Pusan roads, although emergency  vehicles will remain in the area.

Residents were advised to report property damage resulting from the fire to their property managers.
Base officials said there was no 
fire threat to the nearby De Luz housing area.

Roughly 30 patients of the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton were evacuated to area hospitals, but the base hospital had resumed normal operations this morning, Marines said.

No one was injured in the northeast-moving fire, which was reported about 12:45 p.m. Saturday near Lake O'Neill, close to the center of the post, according to the officials. Firefighters had the blaze about 15 percent contained late this afternoon.

The fire caused minor damage to three buildings, base officials said. Traffic on Interstate 5 slowed as smoke rose above the freeway, 55 miles north of San Diego.

The fire also was visible in Fallbrook and other areas in North County, authorities said. The Temecula Valley filled with smoke as well.

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.

-- City News Service