Single Publication

Estimated size: 9,440 acres
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

The Bolt Creek Fire started on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 5:15 am near Beckler Road. The cause of the fire is undetermined. Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock, assumed management of the fire from Western Washington Incident Management Team 3 this morning. Team 8 appreciates all the hard work completed by firefighters and Western WA Team on this fire to date.

Yesterday, the fire was moderately active and backing downhill toward the Highway 2 corridor. Individual small columns of smoke were visible from Highway 2. The fire remained north of Highway 2 except at the Money Creek Tunnel where fire burned directly on top of the tunnel. Visibility was adequate to safely launch a heavy helicopter to provide water bucket drops to check the fire spread. The fire has burned down to the highway in multiple locations and firefighters worked along the highway to prevent the fire from crossing. Firefighters completed structure protection in Baring and Grotto by creating defensible space and installing hose lays to protect buildings if fire moves into the area. Night shift firefighters tactically applied fire on either side of the Money Creek Tunnel on Highway 2 to provide a secured black line to the highway. Night shift firefighters also patrolled and monitored the fire for any flare-ups.

Today, additional firefighting resources are arriving to work on the fire. Heavy equipment including feller bunchers, masticators, and chippers will be utilized to clear brush and fuels along roads that will be used as primary or alternate fire lines. Firefighters will work along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6510 and Beckler Road removing fuels to use as a holding feature on the east edge of the fire. FSR 6022 (Heybrook Lookout Road) from Highway 2 to the Index-Galena Road along the west fire perimeter will also be prepared as a holding line. Night shift will continue to provide patrols and monitor fire activity.

Weather and Behavior: Conditions today will be cooler with temperature 58-64°F, minimum relative humidity near 87%, and excellent humidity recovery overnight. Winds will be light becoming northwest at 5-6 mph in the afternoon. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, mainly to the east.

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. Fine fuel moistures are increasing as moisture and relative humidity increase.

Evacuation and Road Closures: 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.

Level 3 evacuations – Go! - in place for Index. Level 2 evacuations – Set – in place between Index and Zeke’s Drive-In. Level 1 evacuations – Ready – in place between Zeke’s Drive-In to Gold Bar east city limits.

Current Evacuation and road closures can be found at: https://bit.ly/snocowildfire. Fire managers understand the inconvenience and desire for residents to return to their homes. Please avoid the fire area as hazards have not yet been mitigated. The sooner the hazards have been mitigated, the sooner the public will be able to return.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad has coordinated with fire managers to reopen the tracks for limited use. Retardant has been applied in locations where fire could approach the tracks and sprinklers have been deployed on wooden bridges in the fire area.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!

Sheltering: Snohomish County and the American Red Cross are providing indoor shelter and RV slots at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, located at 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe. For shelter assistance, proceed to the Weikel Building at the fairgrounds or RV Lot 2. Staff will be on-site to assist you. Assistance is also available at Start-up Event Center.

Resources: 379 personnel – 1-type 1 hotshot handcrew, 4-type 2 initial attack hand crews, 1-type 2 handcrew, 3-dozers, 45-engines, 2-masticators, 5-water tenders, and 109 overhead.

A new incident was reported yesterday, the Chetwoot Fire. This incident is many miles south of, and is not associated with, the Bolt Creek Fire. Even though the area received scattered precipitation, new fire starts are very possible. Remember, “One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire.”