Fires continue to burn across Puget Sound region as smoke lingers

Smoky, dirty air is hanging over the Puget Sound region like a blanket as wildfires continue to burn across the state.

An air quality alert that was in effect all weekend for much of Western Washington and was set to expire at 11 a.m. on Monday has now been extended to 5 p.m. on Thursday. For most of the region, the bulk of the smoke is coming from the Loch Katrine, Bolt Creek, and Suiattle fires.

“High pressure over the area will be in place Tuesday and Wednesday, with light wind and plenty of smoke and haze in the air. It will not be as bad as this weekend, but we do have air quality alerts in effect until 5 p.m. Thursday. Air quality readings will be moderate to unhealthy, with a lot of unhealthy for sensitive groups readings,” said KIRO 7 Meteorologist Nick Allard.

As of Tuesday afternoon, air quality on the Eastside near Kirkland and Redmond is hovering in the “unhealthy” range. Closer to Bellevue, conditions are slightly better in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category. Residents in those areas are advised to remain indoors if possible.

“The smoke is not good for people to be breathing that smoke,” said Marcia DeRuiter, a nurse. “It gets in their lungs and causes lots of issues.”

“Right, and that is just all that dry fuel that’s just getting burned,” added Lisa Kriederman, the NOAA meteorologist assigned to the Bolt Creek Fire.

Kriederman says to blame it on the unusually dry and sunny weather we’ve been enjoying this mid-October.

“It is so dry,” she said. “And we have certain locations near the fire that have broken records being the driest for October so far and have broken some dry-in-September records. So we’re very dry and warm.”

8 Road Fire reaches 50% containment

The 8 Road Fire has been burning in the Elbe Hills State Forest in south Pierce County since Saturday afternoon.

It is 50% contained and about 225 acres have burned in the fire as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

According to Pierce County Fire and Rescue 23, a level one, or “be ready,” evacuation notice has been issued for about 100 properties located at certain points of Scott Turner Road, Beaver Creek and 8 Road.

Bolt Creek Fire burns 14,713 acres

The Bolt Creek Fire, at more than 14,000 acres scorched, is by far the most stubborn.

Firefighters have heard the criticism that they aren’t doing enough to put out the flames. However, they insist the risks are too great.

>> Bolt Creek Fire crews reach critical turning point

“We’re the fourth team on this fire,” said Don Ferguson, Bolt Creek Fire spokesman. “The objectives have always been to protect life and property, keep the fire in a broad box. And then to the north of it is a wilderness area. There’s no place for a firefighter in there. It’s steep and rocky and the fire is expected to just burn up into those rocks.”

According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, the Bolt Creek Fire is 43% contained and has burned and has burned 96 acres in the last 24 hours.

As other wildfires continue to burn across the region, some firefighting resources are now being reassigned to other emerging fires.

Nakia Creek Fire explodes to 1,869 acres

The Nakia Creek Fire broke out in Clark County, near the Oregon border, just over a week ago.

Currently at 12% containment, it has burned about 1,869 acres as of Wednesday afternoon.

More than 2,900 homes were ordered to evacuate immediately on Sunday. Evacuation guidance has since been lifted for some residents.

The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office says it’s now looking to identify persons and a vehicle of interest seen on video near where the fire started on Oct. 9.

“We are looking for what we believe is a white or light-colored Subaru vehicle,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Curtis Eavenson. “Based on witness statements, we also believe there were two men and two women connected with this vehicle.”

Loch Katrine Fire gaining ground near North Bend and Snoqualmie

Crews are also working to put out the Loch Katrine Fire burning near North Bend and Snoqulamie after weekend winds caused the fire to jump from 4 acres to over 1,200, according to command post spokesperson Emery Johnson.

The fire about 35 miles east of Seattle is burning on a mixture of federal, state and private lands, but there are no structures or communities in danger at this time.

The fire is burning through extremely rough terrain on a steep mountainside.

“Because of where it’s at and where it’s hung up, it’s going to be difficult for us to go directly to it,” said Johnson. “So what we’re doing is we’re getting off all of our resources out there, heavy equipment, people, to get to those holding features and improve them, so when the fire comes and backs down towards it, it’s a stopping point.”

Firefighters battling wildfires are all looking forward to Friday, when it is expected to rain.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Loch Katrine Fire is estimated at 1,225 acres and 2% contained, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

VIDEO: Wildfire smoke continues to blanket Puget Sound region

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