California IN BRIEF : CAMP PENDLETON : Report Says Marines Started Brush Fire

A Marine Corps investigation has found that one of Southern California’s largest brush fires last year was caused by a platoon of Marines at Camp Pendleton discharging flares and smoke grenades in a restricted area. The “unlawful use of pyrotechnics” started the fire on Oct. 18 that burned 10,000 acres of wilderness in San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties and cost more than $2 million to contain, according to the Marine report. It took nearly 900 firefighters five days to bring the blaze under control. Two Marines, 1st Lt. Joseph Shannon and Staff Sgt. John Cadigan, were found in violation of base orders for their role in the mishap. A base spokeswoman, Capt. Rose-Ann Sgrignoli, said, “We are not at liberty to comment in detail” on the report, or to discuss any possible administrative action. The U.S. Forest Service is considering whether the blaze was caused by negligence, a finding that could result in criminal charges and fines for Shannon and Cadigan.