NORTH COUNTY
A brush fire erupted in North County late Wednesday and burned more than 4,200 acres overnight as flames pushed by Santa Ana winds spread toward Camp Pendleton, prompting thousands of evacuations on the Marine Corps base and in Fallbrook.
By early Thursday evening Christmas Eve authorities had lifted the evacuation orders, allowing families to return home, possibly in time to salvage some holiday celebrations.
No structures burned in the blaze, which was 35 percent contained Thursday evening after charring about 4,276 acres, according to Cal Fire San Diego Capt. Thomas Shoots.
#CreekFire on Camp Pendleton [Update] Creek Fire is now 4,276 acres and 35% contained. Firefighters will continue to work through the night alongside @MCIWPendletonCA building containment line and mopping up. No further update this evening unless there are significant changes. pic.twitter.com/d4U2YXEd4N CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) December 25, 2020
Updated on December 26, 2020 at 5:55 pm
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What to Know
As of 5p.m Saturday, Cal Fire officials said the Creek Fire had burned 4, 276 acres and was 90% contained; the fire sparked Wednesday near De Luz and Sandia Creek roads and by Thursday morning was burning entirely on Camp Pendleton
At one time, 7,000 residents were under evacuation orders in Fallbrook. Now, all residents are being allowed to return home.
The American Red Cross Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) at Fallbrook High School has transitioned to a virtual TEP
A fast-moving brush fire burning amid a red flag warning has scorched more than 4,200 acres in San Diego s North County, even prompting evacuations for more than 7,000 residents.
Creek Fire Evacuation Map for Camp Pendleton, Fallbrook As Blaze Burns 3,000 Acres
On 12/24/20 at 11:39 AM EST
Residents in Fallbrook in California and the Camp Pendleton military base were ordered to evacuate their homes after a wildfire that erupted late Wednesday night rapidly burned around 3,000 acres in a matter of hours.
The Marine Corps base said a mandatory evacuation order was issued for the DeLuz Family Housing, Wounded Warrior Battalion, and Lake O Neill Campground areas.
An interactive map on the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services website shows large swaths of Fallbrook were also under a mandatory evacuation order after the fire started in the 37000 block of De Luz Road and quickly spread to nearby Camp Pendleton.
Marine helps save toddler’s life in California car fire
A vehicle burns after Marine Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Wetter rescued an 18-month-old child from it in Fallbrook, Calif., Dec. 7, 2020.
STEPHEN BEARD/U.S. MARINE CORPS
By CHAD GARLAND | STARS AND STRIPES Published: December 23, 2020 Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Wetter was driving home from base earlier this month when fire burst out under the car in front of him, after it ran over a gas can that had fallen off a truck. The Marine’s quick actions as flames engulfed the vehicle would help save the life of an 18-month-old child on Dec. 7 in Fallbrook, Calif., a town on the back side of Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego.
By CHAD GARLAND | STARS AND STRIPES Published: December 23, 2020 Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Wetter was driving home from base earlier this month when fire burst out under the car in front of him, after it ran over a gas can that had fallen off a truck. The Marine’s quick actions as flames engulfed the vehicle would help save the life of an 18-month-old child on Dec. 7 in Fallbrook, Calif., a town on the back side of Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego. After the car’s driver, Anthony Hurly, slammed on the brakes and pulled over, Wetter did the same, jumping out of his vehicle armed with a fire extinguisher, a Marine Corps statement said this week.