CAMP PENDLETON : Marines Blamed for Massive 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 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 control the blaze, which started Oct. 18.

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 she was not at liberty to comment in detail on the report.

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.

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 flarelike 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.

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 the base for 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 . . . due to the fire danger,” the report continued.

It said Shannon and three other Marines set off the devices, starting two fires that “quickly spread out of control.” Shannon tried unsuccessfully to radio the base about the fire and withdrew his platoon.

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. . . .”

According to Sgrignoli, Shannon is still assigned to Camp Pendleton but is now serving overseas, and Cadigan is in the process of leaving the corps when his enlistment ends.