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Henderson Fire at Camp Pendleton reaches 65% containment after burning 3,160 acres and closing I-5

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The Henderson Fire at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California was 65 per cent contained on 18 October 2026 after burning about 3,160 acres, CAL FIRE said. Firefighters worked through the night to strengthen lines and moved to mop-up. The fire, which started on 15 October, forced evacuations on the base, closed Interstate 5 in both directions and destroyed one structure. CAL FIRE has also posted water-drop videos and Flickr albums of the fire.

Henderson Fire: Smoke drifting off the Southern California coast near Camp Pendleton on 16 October 2026, with red dots marking satellite fire detections
Smoke drifting off the Southern California coast near Camp Pendleton on 16 October 2026, with red dots marking satellite fire detections Photo: NASA Worldview, EOSDIS (MODIS Aqua imagery, VIIRS fire detections; public domain).

How the Henderson Fire spread across Camp Pendleton

The fire was reported at 2:35 pm on 15 October near Henderson Street and Brown Street on the base and grew from 10 acres to more than 1,100 acres within hours, CAL FIRE’s incident log shows. Officials warned of a threat to Interstate 5 and to structures and power lines, and four air tankers were assigned. By midday on 16 October it had passed 2,000 acres, pushed by rugged terrain and strong Santa Ana winds. Improved mapping later put it at 3,132 acres and then 3,160 acres. The Camp Pendleton Fire Department has jurisdiction, with a San Diego County Type 3 incident team, CAL FIRE, the US Forest Service and California’s emergency office.

Key Facts

  • Started: 15 Oct 2026, 2:35 pm (local)
  • Size: 3,160 acres
  • Containment: 65% (18 Oct)
  • Damage: 1 structure destroyed
  • Personnel: about 485

Interstate 5 closures, evacuations and the Scales Fire

Smoke and flames on both sides of the road closed I-5 between Vandergrift Boulevard and Basilone Road on 16 October before the highway reopened that evening, CAL FIRE said. An evacuation order was issued for the Las Flores (41 Area) of the base, with evacuees sent to the Paige Field House and a 21 Area gym; the 41 Area order was later lifted. A second blaze, the Scales Fire, started along I-5 near the San Onofre checkpoint and was stopped at about 20 acres. On the first evening, I-5 had also been shut from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road before a reopening began, CAL FIRE said, citing the California Highway Patrol.

What firefighters expect next

About 485 personnel, 44 engines, 14 crews, two dozers and air tankers were assigned, CAL FIRE said. Overnight, crews cut hand line in the thick riparian growth of Las Pulgas Canyon, and dozers built lines on the north-west side using ridges and roads. Higher humidity and a shift to onshore winds were expected to help. But grasses remain extremely dry and will be a fire risk until soaking rain falls, the agency warned. Fire chiefs briefed the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West on 17 October. The fire had crossed containment lines on its north-west side on the morning of 16 October, and a Heat Advisory was in force on 17 October. The cause is under investigation.

Why It Matters: The fire shut one of California's busiest highways and shows how Santa Ana winds can turn a small base fire into thousands of acres within hours.

Also on TrendDesh: Super Typhoon Champi narrowly misses Guam, eye passes 10 miles south of the island with 150 mph winds · Hurricane Trudy strengthens to Category 2 off Mexico, warning issued from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes

Source: CAL FIRE: Henderson Fire incident page · Times of San Diego (City News Service) · NASA Worldview

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