Campfire Sparks Brush Fire South of Ephrata Thursday

A homeless man's campfire turned into a 15-acre wildfire Thursday morning around 9:20 south of Ephrata.

According to Grant County Fire District 13, firefighters initially had difficulty accessing the fire in the area of Road 9 Northwest and Road D Northwest. Once in position, crews were able to contain and knock down the blaze.

Grant County Fire Districts 3 and 5 also responded, as well as the Ephrata Fire Department. The Bureau of Land Management will monitor the fire area for hotspots.

One unidentified individual was injured and refused care while there was no property damage. The homeless man was cited for reckless burning. Grant County 13 also confirmed that most of the land burned by the fire was owned by the Bureau of Reclamation.