Update as of Sept. 19: Favorable weather and a swarm of fire crews were keeping the Bolt Creek Fire near Skykomish at bay.
The fire started Sept. 10 and has since burned more than 10,220 acres. It was 79% contained as of Sept. 19.
The fire burned to the north of U.S. 2; crews kept it from jumping the highway.
A section of U.S. 2 was still closed between Index-Galena Road and Skykomish as of Sept. 19. State road crews will evaluate whether it can be reopened as soon as this week after press time, the fire command team stated.
The fire’s cause was still under investigation as of Sept. 19.
Evacuated residents of Index, Baring and Grotto were allowed to go home.
Note: "In order to best support first responders, Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management is asking people who do not need support or services to avoid going to emergency and command areas with unsolicited donations or offers of volunteering, food, or equipment." Source: City of Monroe
SNOHOMISH COUNTY — In specific ways, people can help the many residents evacuated by the wildfire in forest land near Skykomish which burned more than 10,220 acres and forced a now-reversed call to evacuate a large area north of U.S. 2, including the 200-plus residents of the town of Index.
U.S. 2 is closed east of Index indefinitely. It is closed east of the junction of Index-Galena Road and U.S. 2 to the junction of 5th Street N into the town of Skykomish, according to officials.
Firefighters began being dispatched to the Bolt Creek Fire that was first noticed in the early morning of Saturday, Sept. 10.
Relief efforts and offers to take in displaced livestock began simultaneously.
The Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center (320 Main St., Sultan; 360-793-0983; melody.dazey@skyvalleyvic.net ) is compiling information on aid drives and is a resource hub.
To donate pet food or supplies, deliver to the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center or the Everett Animal Shelter. To donate money, send to either the American Red Cross or the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center.
Sky Valley Fire announced it does not need any donated goods or volunteers.
Emergency shelters have closed as residents went home.
No deaths or injuries have been reported. Two hikers who could not be rescued by helicopter off of Baring Mountain's summit self-reported they got out. They posted their day's experience on YouTube on a channel called "Path Least Taken."
The Bolt Creek Fire was 5 percent contained as of Tuesday , Sept. 13. The cause is under investigation.
A fire incident command team estimates fire crews could have the wildfire fully contained by Saturday, Oct. 1.
A shortlink for the latest fire updates through Snohomish County is http://bit.ly/snocowildfire
For real-time updates on the Bolt Creek Fire, you may call the Bolt Creek Public Information Number at 360-370-4170. The line should be staffed from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
Another resource for tracking the fire is here.
Railroad reopened at limited levels
A county report says Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad has coordinated with fire managers to reopen the tracks for limited use. Retardant has been applied in locations where fire could approach the tracks and sprinklers have been deployed on wooden bridges in the fire area.
Pasado's Safe Haven volunteers work with animals
A group of volunteers from the animal sanctuary went to the Monroe fairgrounds Sunday, Sept. 11 to clean stalls, prepare the space and generally offer any support needed in the case of an animal evacuation. The sanctuary's phone number is 360-793-9393.
