SKYKOMISH, Wash. — Evacuation orders are in place and both directions of US 2 are closed between Index and Skykomish due to a large wildfire.
The Bolt Creek Fire near Grotto and Skykomish has burned between 7,600 - 8,000 acres as of Monday morning. The fire was first reported Saturday around 5:15 a.m., according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
The fire was about 2% contained as of Monday morning, according to InciWeb. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Level 3 evacuation orders, meaning residents should leave now, are 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 said Sunday 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 area around Index, which has about 500 homes and buildings, to evacuate immediately so 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.
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 both directions of US 2 between milepost 32 (west of Gold Bar) and milepost 50 (east end of Skykomish) are closed due to the fire.
There is no estimated time when the road will reopen, but the WSDOT said Sunday evening the highway is expected to remain closed Monday. 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.
Travelers are asked to use caution while driving on US 2, "particularly when encountering fire-fighting vehicles headed to and from wildfire areas."
In an update Monday morning, the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center said fallen trees and rocks created driving hazards on US 2. Fire crews were working to remove the debris and identify other potential hazards along the highway. Additional crews and resources, including heavy equipment, were arriving on Monday to clear brush along forest roads to create fire lines.
The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Monroe at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. The shelter is at the Gary D. Weikel Event Center, located at 14405 179th Ave SE.
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.
The Washington State Fire Marshal said the fire is burning in heavy timber, logging slash, and brush which 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 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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