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5 Freeway was closed in both directions along Camp Pendleton on Saturday
Freeway signs warn drivers on Interstate 8 approaching Interstate 5 of "Live Weapons Over Freeway" in San Diego, California on October 18, 2025.
(
PATRICK FALLON
/
AFP
)
A portion of Interstate 5 will be closed Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Harbor Drive and Basilone Road due to live fire at Camp Pendleton, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A CHP spokesperson told KPBS that the decision to close the freeway was made early Saturday.
State and local officials Thursday said the highway would not be closed.
It's not clear what changed between Thursday and Saturday to prompt the closure or who ordered it.
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Gov. Gavin Newson responded to news of the closure Saturday morning in a statement. He called the reason for the closure an "absurd show of force."
“The president is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous," Newsom said. "Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength — it’s reckless, it’s disrespectful, and it’s beneath the office he holds. Law and order? This is chaos and confusion."
The CHP has a map with real-time traffic information on the road closures. You can find that information here.
Due to an event at Camp Pendleton today, I-5 will be closed from Harbor Dr to Basilone Rd from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
— California Highway Patrol San Diego (@CHP_San_Diego) October 18, 2025
Visit https://t.co/xPdNxMGLrK for real-time traffic information. Thank you for your patience; please drive safely.#CHP #Caltrans #I5 #CampPendleton #Traffic pic.twitter.com/4uKSAZXKud
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