HELICOPTER CRASH IN PENDLETON/FALLBROOK AREA SPARKS MAJOR BRUSH FIRE

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Update 6:20 p.m. -- "Per Camp Pendleton Fire we are pleased to report the fire on the base has been held to 120 acres with no structures damaged or destroyed and is 80% contained. Resources are being released and some crews will remain on scene through the night in a mop up and patrol operation," Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler reports.

By Miriam Raftery

September 19, 2011 (Fallbrook) – The Hotel Fire, a blaze that started from a military helicopter crash at 601 Ammunition Road, has now grown to 85 acres, Incident Page Network reports. The AH-1 Cobra crash resulted in deaths of both persons aboard, the Marine Corps confirms.

 

The fire now poses an imminent threat to a state resource area, Incident Page Network reports.

 

“The wildland fire started at 1 p.m. today,” Sgt. John Jackson at Camp Pendleton’s media department informed ECM. “The fire is located in the southeast portion of the base near the border of De Luz and is moving northeast (toward De Luz)."  His latest information was from 4 p.m., when the blaze was estimated at 50 acres. Jackson did not have information on whether any containment has yet been reached.

 

Jackson confirmed that Camp Pendleton Fire is on scene along with multiple mutual aid asset s including 4 air tankers, 4 helicopter tankers, 3 type 3 strike teams, 4 hand crews, and 1 forward air control air craft.

 

The fire remains contained to Camp Pendleton, Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler said. “We have six engines, three aircraft and four hand crews from Cal Fire that are assisting Camp Pendleton.” Other reports indicate firefighters from Orange County are also assisting in battling the blaze.

 

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