I-5 Closed During Camp Pendleton Live‑Fire Demo

The U.S. Marine Corps held a large live-fire amphibious demonstration at Camp Pendleton on Oct. 18 for its 250th anniversary, featuring jets, helicopters, Navy vessels, simulated explosions and artillery rounds discharged over Interstate 5. Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended. Although Marines said the exercise used approved ranges and safety protocols and initially indicated no public highways would be closed, California closed a roughly 17-mile stretch of I-5 from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a precaution after practice firings and a request for overhead-fire signage. The closure snarled traffic, forced detours and suspended some Amtrak and Metrolink service. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the plan dangerous and politically motivated, citing life-safety and driver-distraction concerns, while Marine and White House supporters defended the exercise as routine training and Vance’s office disputed Newsom’s characterization.