A wildfire is raging on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base in northern San Diego County triggered evacuation orders early Christmas Eve.
Evacuation orders were issued for about 7,000 residents on the west side of the community of Fallbrook and for some Camp Pendleton locations, the base and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.Cal Fire said the wildfire, known as the Creek Fire, is 35% contained and has scorched at least 3,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon.
The fire conditions have been exacerbated by Santa Ana winds, and the terrain around the Marine Corps base.
[Camp Pendleton Fire Chief Ryan] Rushing said the fire’s quick development was “fueled by steep terrain, difficult access, and winds.”Another tweet said that the military camp’s “Fallbrook gate is closed to all traffic except for emergency vehicles.”
Because this is California, and our state’s utilities have had to divert funds to green justice programs rather than fire safety, there have been blackouts in the region.
Utilities proactively cut power to thousands of customers in targeted areas to prevent fires from being ignited by downed lines or sparks from wind-blown debris striking electrical equipment.As of early Thursday, Southern California Edison had shut power off to more than 18,000 customers and was considering cuts to 155,000 others. Almost 6,800 San Diego Gas & Electric customers were blacked out and more than 24,000 others were warned they also might lose power.
Good thing that many of my Christmas lights are solar powered.
Prayers are heading out to the Marines and their families impacted by this fire.
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