State, federal resources mobilized to fight Bolt Creek Fire, US 2 closed between Index and Skykomish

The Bolt Creek Fire near Grotto and Skykomish is estimated at 7,600 acres so far, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

SKYKOMISH, Wash. — Evacuations are in place and both directions of US 2 are closed for the weekend between Index and Skykomish due to the Bolt Creek Fire.

The Bolt Creek Fire near Grotto and Skykomish is now estimated at 7,600 acres Sunday afternoon. The fire was first reported early Saturday morning around 5:15 a.m., according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Level 3 evacuation, meaning residents should leave now, is in place for those north of US 2 from Skykomish to Baring. A level 3 evacuation order was issued for Index just before 9 p.m.

Fire command says up to 50% of the people in the Level 3 mandatory evacuation zone have not left their homes or property. Firefighters are asking all people in the Level 3 evacuation home around Index, which has about 500 homes and buildings, to evacuate immediately, so that fire crews will not have to rescue them if the fire changes direction.

Level 2 evacuations, meaning residents should be prepared to leave at any moment, are in place between Index and Zeke’s Drive-in. Level 1 evacuations, meaning residents should start preparing to evacuate, are in place for the area between Zeke’s Drive-in and the east city limits of Gold Bar.

The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Monroe at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. The shelter is in the Gary D. Weikel Event Center at 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe.

There will be no school in the Skykomish School District on Monday due to fire danger, road closures and power outages, the district posted on Facebook. The Sultan School District also canceled classes Monday due to poor air quality and students and staff being impacted by the fire.

Washington State Patrol troopers, Snohomish County and King County Sheriff deputies are aiding in evacuations of the area.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said US 2 between milepost 31.7 (east of Gold Bar) and 49 (east end of Skykomish) is expected to remain closed through the weekend. The roadway is closed to all traffic except residents who need to evacuate, WSDOT said in a release. The closure points may change based on the needs of first responders and the activity of the fire.

The Washington State Fire Marshal said the fire is burning in heavy timber, logging slash, and brush and is threatening Bonneville Power.

State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan to support local firefighters. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs Sunday.

The Bolt Creek Fire is threatening homes in and around Skykomish, Baring, Grotto, and Index. The fire is also threatening transmission lines, telecommunications infrastructure and powerlines, according to officials.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

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An Air Quality Alert was issued by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency as wildfire smoke blows into the region.

As the smoke settles over western Washington this weekend, there are some potential health risks residents should be aware of. The air quality over the weekend is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups and people with health conditions may have worsened symptoms.

The alert is set to expire at 6 p.m. Sunday