Henderson Fire grows to 2,080 acres on Friday, October 16, and closes Interstate 5 a second time
The Camp Pendleton fire crossed its containment lines on Friday, shut the freeway in both directions between Vandergrift Boulevard and Basilone Road in the early afternoon, and suspended trains through the base. Lanes reopened by Friday evening, with the fire still uncontained.
CAMP PENDLETON: The Henderson Fire grew to 2,080 acres by midday Friday, October 16, crossed its containment lines on the northwest side of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and closed Interstate 5 in both directions for a second straight day, as Santa Ana winds pushed the flames west toward the freeway. The fire was still 0 percent contained at midday, up from the 1,404 acres mapped on Thursday evening.
The closure built through the morning. The California Highway Patrol posted a full northbound closure at Vandergrift Boulevard at 11:50 a.m., NBC 7 San Diego reported, and at 1:25 p.m. the CHP's Oceanside office advised that Interstate 5 remained fully closed in both directions between Vandergrift Boulevard and Basilone Road, with active flames on both sides of the freeway and smoke cutting visibility. Caltrans advised northbound travelers to detour on State Route 78 to Interstate 15.
"The fire remains active and continues to spread, with fire crossing containment lines on the northwest side," Cal Fire said, with air and ground crews still working the fire and more resources on the way. "Santa Ana winds are pushing the fire westward," the CHP's Oceanside office posted, warning of heavy smoke and reduced visibility near the freeway.
A second fire, and the trains stop too
A separate vegetation fire broke out on Friday along southbound Interstate 5, south of the checkpoint near San Onofre, and burned about 20 acres, Times of San Diego reported. Crews assigned to the Henderson Fire responded to that blaze as well. The rail line through the base shut down with the freeway: Pacific Surfliner suspended service between Oceanside and San Clemente Pier on Friday until further notice because of the fire.
Where it stands on Friday evening
By Friday evening, all lanes of Interstate 5 had reopened in both directions through the Camp Pendleton area after the second complete shutdown in two days, according to a News Flash Insider update. On the base, Las Pulgas Road remained closed between Brown Street and Stuart Mesa Road, and the Las Pulgas Gate stayed limited to emergency vehicles. Paige Field House was operating as a shelter for people displaced on base, and there were no evacuations in the communities around the base.
The fire started on Thursday afternoon near Henderson Street and Brown Street. The Camp Pendleton Fire Department holds jurisdiction over it, supported by Cal Fire and other agencies, and its cause is under investigation. Forecasters said Friday was the peak of the Santa Ana pattern, with critical fire weather holding into the weekend, so drivers should check Caltrans QuickMap before using Interstate 5 through the base.
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