What you need to know
- Acres: 1,117 acres
- Road Closures: All lanes on both sides of I-5, which were previously closed, were reopened as of 6 p.m. Closures may resume depending on conditions.
- On-base road closures: Las Pulgas Road to Stuart Mesa Road to the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Brown Street. Stuart Mesa Road to Air Force Base Gloria is closed in both directions
- Base evacuation order: Las Flores (Area 41) has since been lifted
- Evacuation points: Paige Field House, located in Zone 11, and Gymnasium in Zone 21.
A brush fire ignited Thursday afternoon at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and quickly exploded to at least 1,117 acres, briefly closing a stretch of Interstate 5 amid dry, hot wind conditions in Santa Ana.
The Henderson Fire broke out around 2 p.m. and quickly spread in gusty winds, prompting evacuations at the military base, according to the nonprofit fire tracking website Watch Duty. A power outage and road closures were also reported.
Both sides of I-5, all lanes, were closed from Basilone Road, near San Onofre State Beach, to Harbor Drive in Oceanside around 5 p.m., but were reopened around 6 p.m., the California Highway Patrol said. Closures may however resume depending on conditions.
Metrolink trains will continue to run between Orange County and Oceanside as long as it is safe to do so, according to the agency. Amtrak trains have already been closed due to high tides.
SkyRanger 7 flew over the highway in the afternoon, showing a large plume of black smoke casting a large shadow over drivers on I-5. Evening footage showed traffic slowing to a crawl as cars were diverted from the highway.
Télémonde 20 A large plume of black smoke could be seen rising above the United States Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on October 15, 2026. (SkyRanger 7)
Chopper Smoke could be seen from the Henderson Fire rising west over Interstate 5 on October 15, 2026. (SkyRanger 7)
Drivers on I-5 South approach smoke from the Henderson Fire on October 15, 2026. (Elizabeth Griesser)
At least three air tankers and several ground crews from the Camp Pendleton Fire Department responded to the incident.
By the evening, all air raids and air tankers were released for the night and several night-flying helicopters would continue to put out the flames into the night, according to Watch Duty.
Las Pulgas Road is closed from the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Stuart Mesa Road to the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Brown Street, according to the military base. Stuart Mesa Road to Fire Base Gloria is closed in both directions.
Las Pulgas Gate is closed to all vehicles except emergency vehicles until further notice. Please visit the Camp Pendleton Road and Gate Conditions website for current information and updates.
Authorities closed all lanes of northbound I-5 at Harbor Drive in Oceanside around 5 p.m. due to the Henderson Fire burning at Camp Pendleton.
San Diego County was under a High Wind Warning for inland, mountain and foothill areas of San Diego County, as well as a heat advisory for coastal areas. A heat warning was in effect for coastal communities.
Santa Ana winds have the potential to ignite and rapidly spread wildfires in hot, dry conditions. San Diego County officials urged residents to exercise caution amid wildfires.
An active smoke advisory has been issued for the southern military base area, specifically the communities of South Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.
This is a developing story. Details may change as information is released.
A brush fire broke out Thursday afternoon at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and quickly grew amid dry, hot wind conditions in Santa Ana.
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