(Photo: A view of the Juliet Fire from the San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside. Alison St John/KPBS )
A brush fire, dubbed the Juliet Fire, has charred 1,500 acres near Camp Pendleton, forcing evacuations of thousands of people from base housing and neighborhoods in nearby Oceanside.
The blaze started at approximately 3 p.m., according to Cal Fire, and spread quickly by the Santa Ana winds.
Authorities have evacuated all residents out of several base housing developments around Vandegrift Boulevard and from 1,025 homes in Oceanside's Wilmont Estates neighborhood, near Papagallo Drive, and the Pilgrim Creek district, in the area of Luiseno Park.
The city used a reverse 911 telephone system to notify residents in threatened areas, and advised them to meet at an American Red Cross evacuation center set up at El Camino High School.
Cal Fire, the county of San Diego and the U.S. Forest Service sent personnel, ground-based equipment and aircraft to help military personnel and crews from several area municipal fire departments fight the blaze.
There are 51 engines and four fire crews on the scene (approximately 350 firefighters).
Among the airplanes attacking the flames are two Bombardier CL-415 “Super Scoopers.”
City of Oceanside Fire Evacuation Update
The City of Oceanside has announced that mandatory evacuations are now in effect for the East end of Sleeping Indian to include Wilshire, Indian Trail, Hidden Valley and Camino Baja Cerro. Residents of that area have been notified and are being directed to El Camino High School.
El Camino High School, staffed by the Red Cross and the Humane Society, are also available to accept animals for care.
The Juliet Fire is located on Camp Pendleton and the fire is under a unified command with Oceanside Fire and Camp Pendleton. Other agencies are assisting.
Further information can be found on the City’s television station, Station 18, which will post updates as information becomes available. Residents can also call the dedicated phone line at 760-435-3300 to get updates.
