Vegetation fire on Camp Pendleton now 80 percent contained; three firefighters injured; Vandegrift Blvd. open

CAMP PENDLETON - Three firefighters suffered minor injuries today while extinguishing a brush fire that charred a swath of open land alongside Interstate 5 on the grounds of Camp Pendleton.

The blaze erupted for unknown reasons about 2 p.m. on the east side of the freeway, just north of the main gate of the Marine Corps station, officials said.

By late afternoon, crews had the burn area about 80 percent contained, according to the base's public affairs office. The precise size of the fire was unclear.

Two firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, and a th...