By John C. Toman. Posted September 19, 2011, 9:48 PM.

A downed helicopter in the northeast portion of Camp Pendleton killed two Marines and sparked at 50 acre fire on Monday afternoon.

According to Reuters, the 50 acre fire resulted from a helicopter crash near the De Luz boundary of the base.

The helicopter was an AH-1W Cobra. The two Marines killed were the only people on board.

Smoke from the fire was reported as far north as the California Oaks area of Murrieta.