Old Marine
10-23-07, 07:34 AM
My wife just said she saw the CG of Camp Pendleton on the TV and he said that Camp Pendleton in on alert for Evacuation due to the terrible fires raging all over California. Has anyone else heard this? I would bet that Camp Pendleton is really dry right about now.
thedrifter
10-23-07, 07:44 AM
Troops prepare to leave Pendleton as fires rage
Miramar aircraft sent elsewhere as ‘precaution’
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 23, 2007 8:01:02 EDT
OCEANSIDE, Calif. — As wildfires raged in an adjacent town, Camp Pendleton officials on Monday afternoon warned some base residents to prepare for an emergency evacuation.
No mandatory evacuation was ordered as of 5:15 p.m. Pacific time, but base officials wanted residents of several neighborhoods in the east part of the base — De Luz, Serra Mesa, San Luis Rey and O’Neill housing areas — to prepare their families just in case.
“The Provost Marshal and military police will announce an evacuation plan, routes and billeting via a loud speaker when evacuation is imminent,” Camp Pendleton officials said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Marines have evacuated about 40 aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to other military bases in California and Arizona, an air station spokeswoman said.
“This is a precautionary measure to prevent damage to aircraft and associated equipment,” said 1st Lt. Jill Leyden said in a statement.
A brown, smoky haze hung over Camp Pendleton in late afternoon as firefighters battled a growing blaze in Fallbrook, a town just east of Camp Pendleton and Fallbrook Naval Weapons Station. The Rice fire flared up near Rainbow and jumped across Interstate 15 by midday as strong, dry westerly Santa Ana winds pushed the fires to the west. The fire was one of a half-dozen burning in San Diego County.
“Erring on the side of caution, Camp Pendleton officials are recommending military members and their families begin to pack personal belongings and plenty of water,” base officials said.
“Military members are encouraged to pack their personal belongings and stay tuned for additional information of available billeting. Military members who have already packed and have developed a safe route to local relatives and friends, on and off base, are authorized to do so at this time.”
“Safety is paramount: I urge all residents to take prudent precautions ahead of time. Do not wait to begin to prepare,” said Col. James B. Seaton III, base commander.
An expansive wildfire in San Diego threatened communities near Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and prompted officials to evacuate aircraft.
Camp Pendleton established an information hotline: 1-866-430-2764. Base officials said displaced military families, as well as retirees and Defense Department civilian workers, can turn to base services at the base for temporary lodging, information and other assistance:
* Billeting: 760-430-4702.
* Main Gate Commissary: 760-430-1701.
* Naval Hospital: 760-25-4357.
* San Luis Rey Day Care Centers: 760-725-5608.
* Base Chaplain Services: 760725-4700.
* Abbey Reinke Community Center: 760-763-0649.
At Camp Pendleton, officials banned the use of any munitions that can produce a spark. Base officials are encouraging military members and their families to call the base’s information hotline at (866) 430)-2764, watch the base’s TV station – KPEN-TV Channel 18 or visit the base Web site. “Safety and accountability of our Marines, sailors and their families are paramount,” Col. James B. Seaton III, base commander, said in a statement.
Military family evacuation and emergency service information for Navy Region Southwest is available at 619-556-9399.
Evacuated sailors and other service members and their families should report to the Admiral Prout field house at San Diego Naval Base for assignment for evacuation housing, region officials said. Also, the Naval Air Station in El Centro, Calif., is prepared to receive 442 DoD personnel (military and civilian) for evacuation. Those personnel should report to the air station billeting office or call 760-339-2954.
Ellie