Brush Fire Burns Near Camp Pendleton

AS of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the fire had burned approximately 300 acres

Cal Fire crews are working with Camp Pendleton firefighters to control a brush fire that sparked Monday in a military training area north of the base.

Two firefighters have been injured. One suffered burns, the other smoke inhalation. Both were released from the hospital.

Smoke became visible on the Kilo 2 Training Area from Basilone Road just before 4 p.m. Monday, according to the Camp Pendleton Fire Department.

By 5:30 p.m. Monday, the fire had already burned 75 acres of an area about 4 kilometers north of MCAS Camp Pendleton.

By 5 p.m. Tuesday, the fire was about 85 percent contained, but had burned 450 acres. At that point, firefighters began mop-up operations.

The fire was burning in a northeasterly direction, but no structures or homes were in its path.

The cause was attributed to Marines training in the area. Authorities at the base say only simulated ammunition and smoke grenades are fired in the area though.

No homes or businesses have been evacuated. However many residents in the North County reported seeing and smelling the smoke from their homes.

"The fire is very visible from most of Oceanside and Vista between Hwy 76 and 78," wrote Deanne Shearn Smith on NBC 7's Facebook page.

Others reported seeing or smelling smoke from Murrieta, Fallbrook and Temecula.

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