California Marine Base Fire Forces Evacuations of 4,000 People

Authorities say two wildfires that began on a Camp Pendleton training range merged and forced the evacuations of more than 4,000 people on the Marine base and in neighboring communities.

Marine Cpl. Priscilla Vitale says the fire that has scorched more than 3,000 acres was about 25 percent contained Tuesday.

Vitale says the fires that started Monday on the base’s training ranges were not caused by any type of military training.

A spokesman for the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says a second fire burning in eastern San Diego County has burned 100 acres and forced the evacuation of 300 homes near the border community of Campo. Capt. Nick Schuler says that fire is about 50 percent contained.