Interstate 5 Reopened as Henderson Fire Spreads Across Camp Pendleton

Smoke poured from the Henderson Fire, which ignited on Camp Pendleton on October 15, 2026, leading to significant developments in the area. As reported by the California Highway Patrol, all lanes of Interstate 5 between North Harbor Drive and Basilone Road in Oceanside have been reopened. This comes amid a rapidly advancing wildfire that has charred more than 1,100 acres of the military base by Thursday afternoon, requiring evacuation orders and posing risks to nearby structures.

The fire began shortly before 2 p.m. in the western section of the Marine Corps installation, near Basilone and Las Pulgas roads. Strong easterly winds pushed the flames, which consumed approximately 400 acres in just 90 minutes. Ground crews and firefighting aircraft have been deployed to contain the blaze, which has now expanded to an estimated 1,117 acres, as noted by Cal Fire. An evacuation order has been issued for residents in the Las Flores area, with designated evacuation points established downtown in Oceanside.