Normal operations have resumed on base and all scheduled service members and civilians have returned to work. 

All roads are open and all gates have resumed normal operating hours.

“The fact that a sense of normalcy has been established so quickly on base is a testament to the incredible efforts of our firefighters from throughout the state.  On behalf of the Marines, Sailors and families here, I want to thank every one of them for their bold and tireless efforts in fighting these fires,” said Brig. Gen. John W. Bullard, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West – Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. 

In total, fires on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook —collectively known as the Basilone Complex fires—have burned 21,900 acres, nearly 18 percent of the base. Firefighters are currently conducting mop up operations and assessing damage to structures and utilities.

Without the efforts of more 1,000 firefighters from local, state and federal firefighting agencies, along with military and civilian aircraft, the damage to the base would have been much more extensive.

"I'd like to give my sincere thanks to Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, Camp Pendleton Fire Department, I Marine Expeditionary Force, the Navy’s 3^rd Fleet and all the various fire departments throughout California and Nevada for their incredible efforts in fighting these fires. Everyone came together to form an integrated team focused on protecting the lives of our Marines and their families here,” said Bullard. 

“I would also like to thank the Southern California Incident Management Team 2 for their effective management of this incident,” Bullard added.

During the course of this fight, SCIMT 2 was originally requested to assist and manage the fire aboard Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook.  With changing weather patterns, extreme temperatures and high winds, the Camp Pendleton Fire Department was able to coordinate and utilize SCIMT 2 for focusing efforts and deploying resources to engage and fight the other fires here. 

As the week progressed, and with exhausted crews and incident commanders, the Camp Pendleton Fire Department and SCIMT 2 unified the incident command and collectively managed the remainder of fires aboard the base.

“Their execution was well planned and flawless,” said Bullard.

The NWS Fallbrook fire that started Wednesday burned 5,400 acres and is listed at 100 percent contained.

The Las Pulgas fire first reported at 3:15 p.m., Thursday has burned 15,000 acres and is listed at 75 percent containment.

The San Mateo Fire that was reported at 11:24 a.m., Friday has burned 1,500 acres and is currently listed as 97 percent contained.

Two camps aboard the installation, 32 Area and Camp Margarita (33 Area) received extensive damage to its electrical infrastructure and crews anticipate full restoration of power within the next two weeks. Training has resumed with the exception of a few ranges due to fire damage.

The cause of the fires are under investigation.

For fire updates, please visit the official Camp Pendleton Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camp-Pendleton-Scout/244860127876?v=wall.

-USMC-