Wildfire near Gorge Amphitheatre was accidental, authorities say

GEORGE, Wash. – Grant County officials said a weekend wildfire that burned within 3 miles of the Gorge Amphitheatre was started by a campfire.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Foreman said Monday that the fire, which is under control, has been ruled accidental.

Foreman said boaters told authorities they came ashore Sunday afternoon to start a fire in a fire ring to barbecue, but the wind picked up and the fire got out of hand.

Foreman said the wildfire is no longer a threat. Crews on Monday finished dousing hot spots. The blaze prompted evacuations Sunday, but all evacuation orders were lifted by that night.

No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. The blaze burned an estimated 600 acres of mostly sage and grass.

The amphitheater in George, Washington, was hosting its annual Memorial Day weekend event, the Sasquatch Music Festival.