Published Sunday, September 25, 2022, 1300 PT
The BOLT CREEK FIRE is still burning about 1.5 miles north of Skykomish (Snohomish County) and 37 miles east of Seattle (King County), Washington, which was ignited by an undetermined cause on Saturday, September 10, 2022, around 0515 hours PT.
The fire has burned approximately 10,725 acres of timber, closed timber litter, and hardwood litter.
Fire behavior has been observed as moderate with flanking, backing, and creeping.
Management of the fire is under the Western Washington IMT with Incident Commander listed as Kent Stanford.
There are a total of 156 fire personnel along with a single Type 2 IA hand crew, two h and crews, 12 engines, one water tender, and an overhead team staffed with 78 members.
Some of the multitudes of Incident Cooperators include:
Mountain West Wild Fire LLC
These guys were tasked with staffing the Suiattle River and Bolt Creek Fires as “West side cutters” Mod team after 21 days on the fire line.
PNW HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Team
This team helped tremendously by “responding” to the ICP to give Commanders, firefighters and others a big dose of happiness with their therapy dogs. Many of these fire guys and gals have been away from their families for many long days, weeks can wear on a person and these furry friends make it much more bearable.
City of Gold Bar (Snohomish), Washington – Government
Providing fire updates and mapping are critical in keeping locals apprised of nearby emergencies.
Moses Lake Fire Department
Brush 1 members were part of the Mid Columbia Strike Team providing service such as structure protection patrol, working to keep the fire north of US Hwy 2 and east of Index. They were also tasked with patrolling several roads in the area for increased fire activity or potential spread.
Duvall Fire
Local school kids from the fifth grade pour their “love” over the Duvall Fire Department for their tireless efforts and their way of showing their gratitude for helping with the Bolt Creek Fire.
WSDOT
Highway workers work tirelessly, have unwavering dedication and are laser focused on making it safe for their co-workers, firefighters and drivers on US Hwy 2 over many days and weeks.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
BNSF provide their “fire train” and other equipment to help transport firefighters and fire suppression on the rail.
Snohomish County Fire District #22
Many members are deployed on this incident, which include a Getchell Fire Strike Team Leader as well as one of their wildland engines.
Washington State Congresswoman Kim Schrier
The Congresswoman visited the Bolt Creek Fire Incident Command Post at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe (Snohomish County) in joining our leaders for a fire update and giving their support to all of the firefighters working on this incident.
With hard work, tireless efforts, and unwavering dedication by fire personnel and WSDOT employees, US Hwy 2 has been reopened at reduced speeds of 30 mph between Index-Galena Road and Beckler Road. Please be mindful, there are still firefighters and heavy equipment working in the area, and drivers are asked not to stop during their travels in this hard-hit fire area.
Fire Officials state the following:
“The night shift reported the fire continued to glow near the Skykomish community as it slowly burned across the steep slopes west of FS 6510 and toward the north.
A fire weather watch is in place for the next 72 hours on the Bolt Creek Fire. The watch is for unseasonably high temperatures nearing 85 and critically low relative humidity dipping below 20%. Winds will be light with gusts of 10-15 mph, much lower than the east wind event from three weeks ago when the fire began.
Monday between 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm will be the peak of the critical fire watch period. The fire may be much more active as it consumes fuels within the control lines.
The public should expect increased smoke in the valley and ridge tops and more visible flames during the daytime as well as night.
Today’s weather will be mostly sunny with highs in the ’70s on ridges and mid-’80s in the valley, relative humidity’s 25-35% with light winds East 2-5 MPH becoming West around midday.
Poor overnight recovery of moisture at 40-60% and 50-60 degrees is expected.” – Bolt Creek Fire PIO
Current Evacuation levels:
Index and Skykomish-Level 1 (Ready)
Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 east to the Money Creek tunnel-Level 2 (Set)
West side of Money Creek to milepost 48, plus FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road).-Level 3 (Go)
Evacuations/Emergency Alert Systems:
King County:https://kingcounty.gov/depts/emergency-management/alert
Snohomish Countyhttps://snohomish-county-public-safety-hub-snoco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire
Fire Closure info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060768.pdf
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