A memorial service will be held today for Lance Corporal Mario Arias Jr., the 19-year-old Marine who was murdered in his bunker at Camp Pendleton, reports NBC Los Angeles. Arias was found beaten to death on his bed in the early hours of Sunday morning. Following the attack, the suspect allegedly jumped out a third-story window in what authorities believe was a suicide attempt. The suspect survived and and is being treated for serious injuries. more ›

Authorities at Camp Pendleton are investigating the death of Lance Cpl. Mario Arias, a decorated Marine who hails from Canoga Park. His body was found in his bed on the base Sunday morning, according to KTLA. more ›

The naked body of a woman authorities first was that of a teenager was discovered washed ashore at Camp Pendleton back on January 4, 2011, and now investigators are hoping the public can help determine how she came to be there. The woman was 58-year-old Anneka Vasta, also known as Anneka Di Lorenzo and Marjorie Thoresen, an actress and Penthouse "Pet of the Year" model from the 1970s. more ›

Two Marine pilots died in a helicopter crash today at Camp Pendleton during a training flight. Their AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter crashed around 1pm in a training area at the base. Firefighters and rescue crews responded to the scene. more ›

Two events have kept local students out of classes on this hot, hot day while authorities investigate threats to their respective campuses. In both cases, all the children are safe. In one case, a missing Navy corpsman whose writings suggested explosives planted at an OC high school, is in custody at Camp Pendleton. more ›

Marines at Camp Pendleton went through training today to understand what's required of them under the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," reports the OC Register. The training, which is being conducted worldwide and is expected to be finished by the end of the summer, includes sending the message that "It's OK to disagree with letting gays serve openly in the military. It's not OK to disobey orders," notes the Register. more ›

Three brush fires that broke out in each of three SoCal counties yesterday called for aggressive tactics by responding fire personnel, but are under control today. Here's a look at the latest on the fires: more ›

What can some of L.A.'s toughest neighborhoods teach us about patrolling Afghanistan and ridding streets of the Taliban? Apparently, a lot. About 70 Camp Pendleton Marines earlier this month embedded themselves with the LAPD to learn about policing, especially in building better community relations, according to the Associated Press. more ›

Petty Officer Jonathan Campos of Lancaster was found dead in his military jail cell at Camp Pendleton yesterday, according to KTLA. Campos stood accused of murdering Seaman August Provost, a 29-year-old Houston native who "was shot multiple times as he stood guard at Camp Pendleton on June 30." more ›

Today and yesterday, Orange County residents within 50 miles of Camp Pendleton might be feeling some shaking sensations, but they won't be an earthquake (well, unless an earthquake actually happens). “F-18s will be dropping up to 500 pounds of high explosive munitions into the Whiskey and Zulu impact areas," an advisory from the marine base says. Additionally, other units will be mortar live firing of high explosive munitions from 6 a.m. to midnight. “Depending on atmospheric conditions, the sound of the explosions may be amplified and heard up to 50 miles away.” more ›

Follow LAist's continuing coverage of the wildfires by clicking here

"Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from public safety officials to evacuate," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in preface to his emergency proclamation. "It's critical that everyone in the warning areas continue to be prepared-know what you're going to take and be ready to move very quickly if the evacuation order comes in your area. The state is coordinating with federal and local officials to ensure that firefighters have the resources they need, but with such a serious situation on our hands, we need residents to take every precaution to remain safe during this dangerous and difficult time." more ›

KFI is reporting that there are two fires down south, one that is near Newport Beach: "Four helicopters are dropping water on a fire in the Bonita Canyon area of Newport Beach, where 75 firefighters on the ground are battling a brush fire that has spread to about 100 acres and is reportedly close to structures. Meanwhile, authorities say a 100-acre fire at Camp Pendleton has forced the evacuation of a military housing area and several neighborhoods near the Marine base." UPDATE, 5:42 P.M.: The Newport Beach fire has reportedly been contained with a few spot fires still lit. Evacuations have been halted. more ›

AQMD, the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of LA, San Bernardino and Riverside counties have issued a smoke advisory today for areas impacted by smoke from the wildfire at Camp Pendleton. "All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke," their alert said. A little more directly related to the Los Angeles area, LA County's Department of Public Health, who also issues air quality alerts, has not sent one out. This morning, the LA Fire Department's phone lines were surged with calls about the smell of smoke in the air, prompting the department to send out an alert explaining what was going on and to only to call 9-1-1 if there is a true emergency. more ›

Throughout the morning, the phones at the LA Fire Department dispatch center have been ringing off the hook, prompting officials to release an LAFD Alert: "Smoke from the current wildfire in Camp Pendleton is now notable in many parts of Los Angeles," Brian Humphrey wrote. Over the phone with LAist, he did emphasize that if you do actually see smoke, it might be worth a call. The fire, which has burned 1000 acres on the marine base is 70% contained, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. more ›

What a man had been in procession of for some time and brought to a Huntington Beach fire station at Heil Ave. and Springdale was not something the firefighters wanted in their house. They evacuated and called the Orange County Bomb squad who in turn called Marines from Camp Pendleton who are expected to arrive at 3:00 p.m.

A man bought what he thought was a dummy mortar round from an estate sale. He planned to sell the mortar, but when he couldn't find a buyer he turned to firefighters at the Huntington Beach fire station... more ›

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. People want to lose weight this year, get in better shape, look good naked, blah, blah, blah, blah. Does it actually happen? Sure, some do. But most? We all know that reality. more ›

That's what Orange County Fire Authority Chief Chip Prather said this morning:If we had more air resources, we would have been able to control this fire. Instead we've been stuck in this initial attack mode on the ground where we hopscotch through neighborhoods as best we can trying to control things. But OCFA is not the only frustrated agency in Southern California, as losses grow to an estimated $1 billion in San Diego County... more ›

A few months ago, after reading an LAist writer's experience about CrossFit in Santa Monica, I knew I had to give it a try. Knowing it would be extremely intense, I kept on saying to myself, "I'll go in when I'm a little more in shape." But for me, my desired workout routine only comes into play when I am preparing for a race and I accidentally missed the deadline for next week's Mud Run... more ›

These races are more than just running and biking. These races are dirty, wet, bouncy, life-changing and fun. LAist has four picks of local(ish) races in the next upcoming year to gear up for: Camp Pendleton World Famous Mud Run Next Race: October 20, 2007 Location: Camp Pendleton (Oceanside, CA) Website: www.camppendletonraces.com Tips: Sells Out Extremely Fast. Another three races will be held in June of 2008 in which race registration will begin in... more ›

When I tried to get friends to do the mud run with me this year, I probably should not sell it as a Hard Corps race on a Marine Base. It's the truth, but it scares them away. Sure, they can do a 10K (6.2 miles). Throw in a 2-mile hill and it's still doable, yet a bit annoying. Have fire hoses spray you down within the first few hundred feet? Sure! It's hot out! more ›

SoCal winter hikes have a benefit: hiking past 9 a.m. does not bring on heat stroke. And if you are doing a 5.1 mile, two and a half hour hike with a 1000 ft. elevation gain and loss, it cannot hurt to sleep in a little. Named after Darius Towsley, who discovered oil here in 1865 and later sold it to Chevron (then Pacific Coast Oil), this Santa Clarita Valley hiking spot is only... more ›

Two things went down yesterday that will probably make us look horrible in the eyes of the world. Not just in the way our enemies hate us, but in the ways our allies and those who are on the fence look at us. The first is the video above, of soldiers teasing young Iraqi kids -- who are clearly desperate for fresh water -- by making them chase after their vehicle for blocks before... more ›