Single Publication

Bolt Creek Fire Update
October 7, 2022 
Southeast Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team

Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Estimated size: 12,927 acres
Cause: Human; Under investigation
Containment: 36 percent
Resources: 194 personnel – Two type-2 initial attack hand crew, one hand crew, 17 engines, one dozer, two water tenders and 95 overhead. As of 0600 today, management of the Bolt Creek Fire was assumed by a Southeast Washington Type 3 Team; Incident Commander Leonard Johnson.

US 2 Is Open: At this time, US 2 is open throughout the fire area and no additional planned closures are scheduled. However, additional flare-ups, material rolling near the road, or hazardous trees on or along the road may force temporary short closures or reroutes. Crews are still working throughout the area so as the weekend approaches and traffic increases please drive at the posted reduced speeds through the fire area.

Fire Update: Thursday saw very limited growth – less than 100 acres. A heavy marine layer moderated temperature and raised humidity, although warmer and drier conditions returned overnight and will persist for the next few days which may contribute to more fire spread and more smoke production. Other fires in the North Cascades east of Stevens Pass are also contributing to the smoke lingering over the area, which is likely to persist through the weekend as only light winds are forecast to help disperse it. Wind will shift to an easterly light wind which will likely move smoke westward toward Bellevue and Seattle. Containment lines on the south, east and west edges of the fire—namely, along US 2 and near structures—continue to hold well as the consumption strategy is allowed to continue. The fire will continue to produce smoke as it burns to the north into Wild Sky Wilderness. Firefighters remain engaged along containment lines to ensure that the fire stays in its footprint on its southern edge, as well as the southwest and southeast corners. Aviation is available and may be used – as weather allows - to make bucket drops to cool hot spots on the south and west of the fire. Today a Structural Protection Group will begin assessments of structures around the fire – particularly on the east side of Index – to ensure a good plan is in place should fire move unexpectedly. Suppression activities are still ongoing to increase containment, and repair of damage caused by suppression activities will continue in some areas of the fire that have seen little fire activity in recent days. These activities include chipping vegetation, repairing hand/dozer lines and other actions that will help to mitigate future erosion. In addition to suppression repair activities, the BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) Team will continue watershed assessments in the fire area into early next week. For more information on the BAER Team’s ongoing assessment of the fire area, including identifying any potential values at risk of potential post-fire flooding and deciding what emergency stabilization measures to take, check out their Inciweb page:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8429/

Weather: Friday will begin several days of lower humidity and higher temperature. Highs will be around 70 on ridges and upper slopes and in the lower- to mid-80s in valleys. Humidity will be 25 to 35 percent and winds will be light from the east.

Evacuation guidance: Due to the current reduction in fire danger, all previous evacuation orders have been lifted.

Smoke: In addition to Bolt Creek, there are 2 wildfires that continue to burn east of the Cascade Crest and contribute much of the smoke in the area. Current information on air quality may be found at Washington Smoke Blog athttps://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Forest Closure: The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has implemented an Emergency Closure on National Forest lands. Roads, trails, and campgrounds are closed. To read the closure in its entirety, please see: MBSNF Bolt Creek Fire Closure. A burn ban remains in effect until significant rain is received. Please refrain from burning.

Fire Information Phone: (360) 370-4170 Email: 2022.boltcreek@firenet.gov
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8417 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boltcreekfireinfo