Fires burn after starting at approximately 11:45 a.m. PDT Sept. 30 near Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. More than 350 acres were burned by the fire. ( U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Antoinette Lyons)

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Base and local fire departments respond to a fire started at approximately 11:45 a.m. PDT Sept. 30 near Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. More than 350 acres were burned by the fire. ( U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Antoinette Lyons)

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Base and local fire departments respond to a fire started at approximately 11:45 a.m. PDT Sept. 30 near Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. More than 350 acres were burned by the fire. ( U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Antoinette Lyons)

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Fires burn after starting at approximately 11:45 a.m. PDT Sept. 30 near Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. More than 350 acres were burned by the fire. ( U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Antoinette Lyons)

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Fires burn after starting at approximately 11:45 a.m. PDT Sept. 30 near Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. More than 350 acres were burned by the fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew Satran)

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Base and local fire departments respond to a fire started at approximately 11:45 a.m. PDT Sept. 30 near Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. More than 350 acres were burned by the fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew Satran)

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Base and local fire departments respond to a fire started at approximately 11:45 a.m. PDT Sept. 30 near Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. More than 350 acres were burned by the fire. ( U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

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Vandenberg officials battle fire on base

Published Oct. 1, 2009

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Emergency responders as of 9 p.m. PDT were working to contain a fire that started near Vandenberg Middle School here at approximately 11:45 a.m. Sept. 30.

As of that time, 20 fire engines, 10 aircraft and six bulldozers were being used to fight the fire, that has burned approximately 350 acres on Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The fire is currently 50 percent contained.

Vandenberg AFB officials evacuated all nonessential personnel and approximately 96 buildings. The Lompoc and Santa Maria Gates are currently closed. Base officials advised all personnel not deemed mission-essential to avoid the installation until further notice. The Child Development Center and Youth Center will be open Thursday for those who must report to the base.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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