Marines will fire artillery over the I-5 Freeway for its 250th birthday celebration. Marines had said no closures would be necessary.

Marines are investigating after a 155mm artillery round exploded over Interstate 5, hitting California Highway Patrol vehicles with shrapnel.

I-5 closes 11 a.m.–3 p.m. for Marine Corps 250th anniversary live-fire demo at Camp Pendleton; expect major SoCal traffic delays.

CAMP PENDLETON — Ordnance fired over the 5 Freeway at Saturday’s 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton prematurely detonated, striking and damaging a California Highway Patrol vehicle that was part of Vice President JD Vance’s detail, the CHP said Sunday.

The mishap, during an anniversary celebration for the Marine Corps attended by the vice president and defense secretary, underscores safety concerns that Gov. Gavin Newsom voiced before Saturday’s event at Camp Pendleton.

The decision to close Interstate 5 due to live-fire at Camp Pendleton was made early Saturday, a California Highway Patrol official told KPBS.

CHP reports that a section of Interstate 5 in San Diego — from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road in Oceanside — will be closed from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m

Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized the federal government for allowing a live-fire military demonstration at Camp Pendleton to take place near the heavily trafficked I-5 freeway, prompting a temporary closure of the highway and causing potential disruption to the local economy.

The Marines are gearing up for their 250th birthday Saturday with a high-octane amphibious demonstration at Camp Pendleton's Red Beach, featuring amphibious vehicles storming the