SAN DIEGO — A fast-moving vegetation fire at Camp Pendleton forced the temporary closure of Interstate 5 in both directions Thursday afternoon, creating major traffic delays as dry, windy conditions fueled the flames and sent smoke billowing across North County.
Fire crews responded to The Henderson Fire just before 2 p.m. Thursday and by the evening it had burned more than 1,000 acres. The blaze rapidly grew in size and pushed west, prompting a brief freeway shutdown during the afternoon commute and creating a traffic nightmare for drivers traveling between San Diego and Los Angeles.
Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles as emergency crews worked to contain the flames.
A SIG alert was issued along northbound Interstate 5 at Harbor Drive due to the fire, but all lanes have since reopened.
The freeway closure also sent traffic spilling onto nearby roads, including Harbor Drive, where drivers faced bumper-to-bumper congestion. One of those drivers, Thomas Redman, was in San Diego work.
“Going back and forth between LA and San Diego, it’s pretty busy,” said driver Thomas Redman. “But for the most part, even though it’s busy, it’s nothing like it was today.”
Redman, who was traveling through Oceanside back north, said he narrowly avoided the worst of the traffic after passing through the area just before the closure took effect.
“Glad we missed it,” Redman said. “We missed it just barely on our way down to San Diego. It happened behind us, so we’re happy about that.”
Like many Southern California drivers, Redman said Interstate 5 is difficult to avoid when traveling between the two major metropolitan areas.
“There’s no other way,” he said. “I mean, we can go all the way out, long, long route out to the 15 and add hours to the drive, and we figured we’re just gonna head through and try to make it, test our luck.”
Officials say infrastructure on the base were threatened, and evacuations were ordered. The evacuation order and freeway closures were lifted by Thursday night.
However, county air quality officials warned people living and working near the fire to expect smoke impacts through the night.
Fire crews continued working overnight to contain the Henderson Fire as dry and windy conditions complicated firefighting efforts.
At this time, there is no word on any injuries or what caused the fire.