By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–A fast-moving vegetation fire broke out on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Wednesday morning, prompting evacuation warnings for nearby neighborhoods and the precautionary evacuation of a local golf course as flames threatened areas along the City of Oceanside border.
According to Cal Fire, the blaze, dubbed the November Fire, was reported at approximately 10:15 a.m. in a military training area near Wire Mountain Housing on Camp Pendleton.
The fire spread eastward along the Oceanside border, burning open brush near Whelan Lake. As a precaution, authorities issued evacuation warnings for residents west of Douglas Drive and west of Vandegrift Boulevard. The warning area also extended south to include the Oceanside Municipal Airport and surrounding neighborhoods to the north.
The Oceanside Municipal Golf Course was evacuated as firefighters worked to contain the advancing flames.
Emergency officials established a temporary evacuation point at El Camino High School, which was later converted into a temporary shelter with assistance from the American Red Cross. At one point, the shelter housed 38 evacuees and 16 animals displaced by the fire.
In response to the incident, the City of Oceanside activated its Emergency Operations Center at Level 3, allowing additional city personnel and resources to support firefighting and evacuation efforts. Much of the city’s response focused on assisting operations at the temporary shelter.
As the day progressed, firefighters gained an advantage as the fire moved away from populated areas within the city. However, crews remained on high alert due to ongoing fire activity and changing conditions.
Evacuation warnings were lifted at approximately 4 p.m. as the immediate threat to homes diminished.
As of Wednesday evening, the November Fire had burned 560 acres and remained 0% contained. Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the blaze.
No injuries or structural damage were immediately reported.
