Babcock Fire

Photo Credit | Grant County (WA) Sheriff’s Office

GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON — A local venue in the Gorge saw lightning, and high winds this late afternoon just before 1700 hours PT, where a natural cover wildfire ignited. Officials at the Gorge Amphitheatre where multiple bands and singers are performing, with thousands of concertgoers and campers were urgently evacuated out of the venue for everyone’s safety.

Behind the venue, a wildfire named the Babcock Fire was caused by lightning and continued to threaten the venue (and structures), as well a heavy deluge of rain fell over the area, were told by Officials to either go to their camps or to their vehicles and shelter in place. It appears this activity occurred for about an hour before visitors were able to re-enter and occupy the venue again.

One performer was canceled due to the late start of the string of singers and bands, but it appears no damage to vehicles, structures, venue, concertgoer, or first responder was reported.

The Northwest Weather Service issued an alert this morning for 1100 hours to 2300 hours this evening for winds, low visibility to blowing dust. These conditions could be ripe for a wildfire says one local Fire District and therefore, putting out a Public Service Announcement on their Social Media pages to be careful out there. Unfortunately, this time, it was Mother Nature and she was not having any of it.

About five acres burned.

Some of the Incident Cooperators, included the Gorge Amphitheatre, Grant County Fire District #13, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, WA DNR, and the U.S. National Weather Service.

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