California wildfire doubles in size

By Chelsea Carter

Associated Press

FALLBROOK, Calif. – A wildfire that doubled in size overnight moved onto a Marine Corps base today after burning dozens of homes and injuring 11 people in a wealthy enclave of ranch homes north of San Diego.

With winds calmer today than the day before, the fire grew from 2,000 to 4,000 acres and continued its northern course to Camp Pendleton, where base fire crews were ready to take it on.

“It’s a huge base,” said a spokesman, Lt. Greg Scott. “It’s like a town, so we’ve got to be prepared.”

No structures or people on the base were threatened but the blaze has already burned an area on the eastern end covered with dry brush and rugged hills, Scott said.

The base covers 125,000 acres and is home to more than 30,000 Marines.

The fire was reported Sunday about 60 miles north of San Diego. Residents led horses away and others fled with virtually nothing as flames raced through a hilly area of ranches, avocado groves and homes valued at up to $1 million.

About 40 structures were burned, most of them homes, said Capt. Rick Mann of the North County Fire District.

The blaze was only 5 percent contained by this morning. More than 600 firefighters were on the line. The cause of the blaze was unknown.

Eleven people were taken to hospitals, including six who suffered smoke inhalation and hypothermia when they jumped into a swimming pool to escape the flames, Mann said. Ten of the injured were treated and released.

Pete Jespersen grabbed an American flag and held it up to his face as he ran through heavy smoke to escape his in-laws’ home.

“I tried to save the house, but it was no use,” said Jespersen, who sprayed water on the structure. Soot covered his face and arms.

“It just came so fast,” said Ralph Cox, 51, who was trapped in his adobe house when fire raced up a hillside covered with manzanita scrub and citrus trees. He said he heard an explosion before flames surrounded his home.

“It was just a big pop and a solid wall of fire,” said Cox, who was rescued by firefighters who made an escape path out of the house.

About 100 people were displaced by the fire, including some evacuated from an officers’ housing area at the Naval Weapons Station in Fallbrook.

The fire came within 500 yards of the housing, spokesman Gregg Smith said. Ammunition and other weapons stores on the base are protected inside structures that can withstand fire, said Smith.

A school was opened as a shelter but most fire victims sought refuge overnight in private homes.

The blaze was driven by Santa Ana winds that gusted up to 60 mph. The gusts whipped to 100 mph in other parts of Southern California over the weekend. The strong winds overturned big-rigs, downed power lines and knocked over a tree Saturday that killed a tennis player in Simi Valley.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.