9/15/2022 Bolt Creek Fire Update

Estimated size: 9,440 acres (estimated acreage, no infrared flight for two nights)

Containment: 5%

Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 am

Area of Origin: King Co. North of Skykomish

Cause: Under investigation

Structures Damaged: one out-building

Management of fire: Northwest Incident Management Team 8

Road Closures: State Highway 2 remains closed east of the junction of Index-Galena Road and Highway 2 to the junction of 5th St N. into the town of Skykomish. The fire continues to destabilize the steep terrain above the highway resulting in rock falls, rolling debris and falling trees. Last night a very large fire-weakened Douglas fir tree fell and slid downhill at high speed across the highway and through the guardrail. Due to these types of hazards, Highway 2 corridor remains unsafe for public use.  The Washington State Department of Transportation has been serving a critical role in clearing and restoring firefighter access.

Update: Fire behavior is anticipated to be light to moderate today.  Crews are extinguishing hot spots as the fire nears the highway and continue to prevent the fire from crossing the highway.  Crews are assessing areas of the fire above the road to determine what is needed to make the highway safe for public use.  Work by crews and heavy equipment continue to establish and reinforce containment lines along forest roads on the west and eastern sections of the fire.

Washington State Mobilized Resources are still present and working diligently to protect homes and structures from the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Westerly onshore flows will continue the next couple of days with little change in surface weather conditions. Expect mostly cloudy skies, high humidity, and cooler temperatures. Precipitation is not expected today, but chances of light precipitation is possible on Friday as a disturbance begins to influence the region. Temperatures are forecast to be 54°F on the upper ridges and 73°F in the valleys, with minimum relative humidity near 62%.  Winds will be light, coming out of the west at 3-8 mph.

Fuels remain dry and the fire will move primarily where wind and slopes align in steep terrain. The fire is still capable of large runs if winds increase above 25 mph. However, high winds are not currently predicted, and fine fuel moistures continue to increase with the rise in relative humidity resulting in reduce fire activity.

Evacuation Levels: The need for evacuation level and roads closures are evaluated daily.  At this time, evacuation remain the same:
- Level 2 (Set): Index - Residents can return home. 
- Level 1 (Ready): Between Index and Zeke's Drive In
- From Zeke's to Gold Bar east city limits, no posted level. 
- Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 after milepost 48 (east of Money Creek tunnel) will remain at Level 3. Additionally, Forest Service Road 65 (Beckler River Road) is at Level 3. Skykomish will remain at Level 1. 
 
Please understand that the fire remains active and conditions could change quickly.   In order to keep the public safe, changes in evacuation levels might also be required.  Please be prepared.

Current Evacuation and road closures can be found at: https://snohomish-county-public-safety-hub-snoco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire

Smoke: Updated information on air quality may be found at Washington Smoke Blog at https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Sheltering: The Event Center in Startup is providing indoor shelter at 14315 366th Ave, SE, Startup WA, 98293.  The Red Cross Shelter at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds is closed.  For Red Cross assistance, please call 1-800-RedCross.

Air Space Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Bolt Creek Fire. Please review the Notice to Airmen in its entirety. Please help the firefighters by respecting the TFR. If you fly, we can’t!

Resources: 431 personnel – 1-type 1 hotshot hand crew, 5-type 2 initial attack

hand crews, 1-type 2 hand crew, 3-dozers, 42-engines, 2-masticators, 5-water tenders, and 136 overhead,

As we come to the end of the summer season, new fire starts are still very possible.  Please remember, “Big fires start small. Be ember aware!”