A wildfire burning north of Oceanside on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton has now scorched more than 1,000 acres as of Tuesday, July 7, with continued smoke advisories for North San Diego County.
A remaining evacuation order for 32 Area on base has been lifted, according to a 1:38 p.m. Tuesday update on official Camp Pendleton social media.
“The evacuation order for 32 Area has been lifted,” base officials announced on Facebook. “All individuals and units are cleared to return to their workspaces.”
The Pipeline Fire started around 2 p.m. Monday on base about a mile north of Stuart Mesa Road and Hammond Drive. The fire quickly spread, with thick smoke blowing east and northeast toward Fallbrook and Valley Center, and later south toward Escondido, San Marcos and elsewhere in North County, according to authorities and observers.
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District‘s smoke advisory remained in effect Tuesday, with Ramona, Pala and Alpine added to the affected communities.
“As of Tuesday morning, overnight winds aloft have pushed smoke into foothill communities such as Ramona and Alpine. Onshore winds will strengthen by Tuesday afternoon, pushing the smoke back towards Fallbrook and Valley Center,” the district reported on its alerts page. “Air quality conditions may improve at southern foothill communities like Alpine during the day. Air quality conditions at northern foothill communities like Valley Center may worsen during the day.
The Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Public Health Department also posted a health advisory just after noon Tuesday.
“Smoke from the Pipeline Fire may affect air quality in portions of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and surrounding communities,” the warning posted on Facebook by the hospital stated. “Even if flames are not visible, wildfire smoke can travel long distances and may irritate your eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and heart.”
Official Camp Pendleton social media reported that the fire started Monday near Range 501. The fire grew to 1,065 acres by Tuesday morning, according to a Cal Fire update at 2:21 p.m. The fire was 80% contained as of Tuesday evening and the cause remains under investigation, according to Cal Fire. Camp Pendleton firefighters have jurisdiction over the blaze.
(Story updated at 12:25 a.m. July 8)
