A Level 3 evacuation — meaning leave now — has been issued for residents north of Highway 2, from Skykomish to Index, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office. Specifically, evacuations are taking place from Eagle Falls on the west end to the Beckler Road River on the east. Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations are in place for about 300-400 homes, according to the Department of Natural Resources. UPDATE: Level-III: MANDATORY Evacuation The fire has reached DNR Level III. Anyone from Skykomish to Index, north of Hwy 2 should evacuate immediately. Call 911 if you need help. Updates will be provided as they become available. https://t.co/QrrygtChjk — King County Sheriff’s Office PIO (@kingcosoPIO) September 10, 2022 State fire assistance has been mobilized to support local firefighters working to contain the Bolt Creek Fire, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office. Mobilization specialists from the Bureau of Fire Protection ordered 3 strike teams to assist local resources in extinguishing the fire. As of 1:50 p.m., personnel from the Office of the State Fire Marshal arrived on scene to coordinate the dispatch of resources. The fire is currently very active and windy conditions are making it difficult for crews to extinguish the flames, according to Snohomish County Fire District 26 officials. The fire started about 5:15 Saturday morning in a clearing north of Skykomish and is now moving west. As of 10 a.m., the fire is not contained to the town of Skykomish, according to King County officials. “A large wildfire along the north side of US 2 from just outside Skykomish to Baring is threatening homes. Area residents should be prepared to evacuate at minimal notice,” King County officials said in a tweet posted shortly after 10 a.m. . Local law enforcement is going door to door to notify residents.” Washington State Patrol troopers are assisting deputies with the Snohomish County and King County Sheriff’s Departments in evacuating those areas. Highway 2 is closed from milepost 31.7, about two miles east of Gold Bar, to milepost 49, at the east end of Skykomish, according to the Washington Department of Transportation. The US 2 closure now extends from milepost 31.7 (east of Zeke’s Drive In and Gold Bar) to milepost 49 (east end of Skykomish). The road is only open for people moving away. Please continue to follow @wspd7pio, @kingcosoPIO and @waDNR_fire for evacuation/fire information. #BoltCreekFire — WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) September 10, 2022 Residents who must evacuate the area will still have access to the roadway. Drivers are advised to detour well in advance of the closure and expect heavier traffic than usual on other interstate highways, including Interstate 90 and State Route 20, during firefighting efforts. Smoke and ash from the fire is blowing west into Snohomish and King counties. All counties in Washington are under some form of burn ban, with winds and hot weather causing wildfire concerns. Fire burning near Skykomish on Saturday, September 10 (Courtesy of Hussain Aleaziz) This is a developing story. ©2022 Cox Media Group
