Marine Probe Blames Platoon for Fire That Burned 10,000 Acres

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 Oct. 18 that burned 10,000 acres of wilderness in San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties and cost more than $2 million to contain, the Marine report said. 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.

But a base spokeswoman, Capt. Rose-Ann Sgrignoli, said Friday that “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 still considering whether the blaze, known as the San Mateo fire, was caused by negligence, a finding that could result in criminal charges and possible fines for Shannon and Cadigan.

The report, written by Marine Capt. William Hindman, recounted that, on Oct. 17, Cadigan gave Shannon an ammunition can that contained 11 smoke grenades and flare-like devices to illuminate the sky.

Cadigan “asked 1st Lt. Shannon to dispose of the pyrotechnics,” said the Nov. 7 report released this week under a Freedom of Information Act request by the Orange County Register.

It said Shannon had permission to take his 10-man platoon into the firing range for training, where he overheard a radio call granting permission for a different platoon to fire pyrotechnics at another training area.

He tried to radio base to get approval to demonstrate for his platoon how to use the devices, but couldn’t make contact, said the report.

So Shannon, “on the basis” of having heard the other platoon get permission to fire, “elected to fire his pyrotechnics for the class,” said the report.

But, unlike the training area occupied by the other platoon, Shannon’s area was designated “orange,” a rating that meant “no pyrotechnics were allowed to be fired in the Charlie training area . . . due to the fire danger,” the report continued.

It said Shannon and three other Marines set off the incendiary devices, starting two fires that “quickly spread out of control despite the efforts of the platoon to put them out.”

Shannon tried unsuccessfully to radio the base about the fire and withdrew his platoon from the area.

Investigator Hindman concluded that “it was the responsibility of 1st Lt. Shannon, as platoon commander, to inform himself of the fire danger rating and restrictions on the use of pyrotechnics.”

Hindman also faulted Shannon for “disregarding property control procedures” by failing to ask Cadigan where he had obtained and stored the devices. Hindman’s recommendations in the case were omitted from copies of the report released to the news media.

However, the report’s narrative said Shannon was issued a violation notice for failing to maintain communication with the firing range control center, failing to notify the control center that a Marine suffered smoke inhalation and improperly firing the pyrotechnics.

Cadigan was issued a notice for possessing and distributing the incendiary devices.

According to Sgrignoli, Shannon is still assigned to Camp Pendleton but is serving overseas, and Cadigan is leaving the Corps when his enlistment ends.