MONROE, Wash. — Wildfire evacuations were downgraded for Index on Thursday, and a portion of U.S. 2 near where the Bolt Creek Fire is burning between Skykomish and Index will remain closed through the weekend.
The fire was first reported at 5:15 a.m. on Sept. 10 and quickly spread. The fire has burned an estimated 9,440 acres and is 5% contained as of Saturday afternoon.
A 13-mile stretch of U.S. 2 from Index-Galena Road to Beckler Road (milepost 36 to 49) will remain closed until at least Monday, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Officials previously said the highway remains unsafe for travel due to falling rocks and fire debris.
The area between the west side of Money Creek tunnel to milepost 48, plus FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road) was given Level 3 Evacuation Orders as of Saturday afternoon. Level 3 evacuation orders means anyone in the area is mandated to evacuate.
Saturday afternoon's update also included the latest information on road closures from the fire.
- U.S. 2 remains closed just east of Index-Galena Road, near Sunset Falls (MP 36), to the junction of 5th St N into the town of Skykomish (MP 49). Local highway access is now permitted for residents with identification from the west closure to the Money Creek tunnel. Use caution and slow down when driving on U.S. 2, particularly when encountering fire-fighting vehicles headed to and from wildfire areas.
- U.S. 2 from the west end of the Money Creek Tunnel to 5th Street in Skykomish will remain closed to all.
- Residents in the area should remain vigilant and are asked to not roam around the area once they gain access.
Evacuation orders for Index were downgraded Thursday to Level 2 from Level 1, according to the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management. Index was previously under a Level 3 evacuation, but that order was lessened Tuesday.
Level 2 evacuations mean residents should be prepared to leave at any moment. Level 1 evacuations mean residents should start preparing to evacuate.
Baring, Grotto, Forest Service Road 65 (Beckler River Road) and the area along U.S. 2 to milepost 48 east of the Money Creek tunnel was downgraded to Level 2 evacuation orders as of Saturday afternoon. Level 2 evacuation orders mean residents should be prepared to leave at any moment.
Evacuation orders for those living between Index and Zeke's Drive In were reduced from Level 2 to Level 1 Tuesday. There are no longer evacuation orders for residents in Gold Bar.
About 400 firefighters have conducted controlled burns and cut buffer zones around homes. The fire itself appears to be contained to a perimeter and its spread is slowing.
Around 680 residences and over 1,000 minor structures were threatened by the fire, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire still has not been determined.
Fire officials said the weather is working in their favor and they hope for rainy conditions in the not-to-distant future that will end the wildfire season.
Previously, smoky conditions were hindering the firefighting effort. For two days, crews hadn't been able to put water on the flames or get a good sense of how many acres were burning because of winds and smoke.
To help prevent additional fires, the outdoor burn ban issued on July 23 was upgraded on Sept. 13 to include recreational fires. That includes the cities and towns of Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Monroe and Sultan.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs Sunday.
The Red Cross emergency evacuation shelter set up at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe closed at noon on Sept. 14. Officials said anyone needing additional assistance should call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.