The view to the northwest from Bell Mountain shows heavy smoke from the fire just before sunset in Menifee. (Staff photo)
Heavy smoke from a major fire at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County blanketed Menifee and most parts of southwest Riverside County on Monday.
The Pipeline Fire was approaching 1,000 acres at 7:30 p.m., and evacuation orders were given for two surrounding areas. Two night-flying helicopters and one night-flying helicopter coordinator had been requested to help fight the fire, which began as a 5-acre fire in light vegetation at about 2:12 p.m. Fire retardant has been dropped around many areas of the fire…