I-5 through Camp Pendleton reopens following live-fire demonstration

The California Highway Patrol reopened a large swath of Interstate 5 Saturday after it was closed for a few hours during a live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton witnessed by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, state authorities said.

Closures along northbound on-ramps to the freeway in Oceanside began to go into effect around 10:30 a.m., according to a CHP traffic incident log, and a full freeway closure from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road appeared to begin after 12:30 p.m.

Live artillery was fired over the freeway from the beach to a remote inland area of the base around 1:45 p.m., and the demonstration wrapped at 2 p.m.

State officials cited “extreme life safety risk” and sudden, loud explosions that could distract drivers, saying the closure decision came at the recommendation of the California Highway Patrol.

The Saturday morning announcement came days after Camp Pendleton officials said it was not necessary to close the busy freeway that runs through the base. Base officials told state authorities that was because the exercise — an amphibious assault landing — would be conducted on its training ranges, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.

However, late Friday, event organizers asked for CalTrans signage to be posted along I-5 that would read: “Overhead fire in progress,” according to Newsom. State officials near Camp Pendleton also observed live munitions being fired near the freeway on Friday as an apparent practice run, according to the office.

On Saturday, military officials confirmed with state officials that the live-fire exercise would begin at 1:30 p.m., Newsom’s office said.

The Marines requested that all train service between San Diego and Orange counties be suspended during the exercise.

“The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety,” Newsom said in a statement Saturday. “Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous.”

County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Republican whose district encompasses much of North County, called the decision to close the freeway “a petty stunt.”

“The Marines at Camp Pendleton have been firing live rounds and training beneath I-5 for over 50 years — without closing the freeway. There is zero reason for this sudden shutdown,” Desmond said in a statement on X. “This isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s going to cause medical emergencies to be delayed, workers to miss shifts, and families to have their plans and events ruined.”

Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat whose congressional district includes coastal North County, said the live artillery fire over the freeway posed “unnecessary safety risks and significant disruptions.”

“Public safety and the reputation of the Marine Corps are far more important than the political agendas of J.D. Vance or Pete Hegseth,” Levin said on X. “We can and should celebrate the Marine Corps in a manner that honors their proud legacy without compromising safety or community wellbeing.”

Drivers were encouraged to visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov for real-time traffic information before traveling in the area Saturday.

The assault demonstration — which involved several ships, aircraft and landing vessels — was filmed by the White House for inclusion in a national primetime broadcast on Nov. 9, one day before the official 250th anniversary of the Marines, Camp Pendleton officials said in a statement. The Navy celebrated the same milestone earlier this month.

Several other dignitaries, active-duty troops and family members attended the event on base.