9/16/2022 Bolt Creek Fire Update

 Bolt Creek Fire Update

9 AM, September 16, 2022

Estimated size: 9,440 acres (estimated acreage, no infrared flight for three 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

Closures:
Road- Fire managers and cooperators met yesterday to discuss the status of the State Highway 2 closure.  The instability of very large trees and rocks in and around the fire area has been escalated by the fire heat, previous strong winds and precipitation.  Extreme risk to the public and firefighters continues. Due to these types of hazards, the Highway 2 corridor will remain closed to the public through the weekend and reevaluated late Monday morning. The road is 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 Washington State Department of Transportation, Puget Sound Energy, and Bonneville Power have been clearing hazards around their infrastructure helping to restoring access and services.

Forest-The Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has issued a forest closure near the Bolt Creek Fire. For specific details and map refer to the Bolt Creek Fire Inciweb page: Closures - Bolt Creek 

Update: Crews and heavy equipment including feller bunchers, masticators, and chippers are working to establish and reinforce containment lines on the west and eastern edges of the main fire. The strategy is to flank the fire, directing it toward the north into the Wild Sky Wilderness where there are many rocks/holding features.  This strategy directs the fire away from higher values at risk and provides resources an anchor point to safely fight fire. The lines are along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6510 and Beckler Road (east) and FSR 6022 (Heybrook Lookout Road) from Highway 2 to the Index-Galena Road along the west.  The long-term plan is to extend these lines toward the north on established roads. Crews are safely assessing the fire and natural hazards above the road and taking actions to make the highway safe for public use.  

Night shift firefighters patrolled and monitored the fire for any flare-ups. 

Washington State mobilized resources are being released as the need decreases for their services. Remaining engines continue to assist to remove fuels around structures and monitor perimeter lines.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Westerly flow will continue today ahead of a potential disturbance that will move south along the west coast on Saturday. Expect mostly cloudy/ overcast skies, high humidity, and cooler temperatures associated with this system today and tomorrow. Precipitation chances increase this afternoon and evening as energy from the trough moves through the region. Daytime rainfall amounts will approach one to two tenths of an inch today. Today’s forecast is a temperature of 66 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 75%, winds will be southwest near 6 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation.

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels have changed effective Thursday, Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. noon. Fire movement has slowed over the past 48 hours. New guidance:

• Level 1 (Ready): Index – reduced from a Level 2 (Set).  No other evacuation levels in Snohomish County. Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 to MP 48 (east of the Money Creek tunnel) remains at Level 3 (Go). Additionally, FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road) remains at level 3. Skykomish remains at level 1.