After six weeks of evacuations, road closures and intense smoke, the Bolt Creek Fire is finally in the home stretch. The Department of Natural Resources tells KIRO 7 that the fire’s threat has been diminished and most fire crews are being sent home.
The Bolt Creek Fire has burned nearly 15,000 acres. Fire Chief Eric Andrews with Sky Valley Fire saw it all first-hand.
“It’s been tough six weeks with that that type of fire and foliage and the smoke. The Highway 2 closures and everything that goes on,” Chief Andrews outlines.
He says crews are exhausted, but for many their work with fire containment is finally over. Just a skeleton crew will remain for the next week.
As of Saturday, containment for the Bolt Creek Fire sits at 51%. Hans Andersen with the USDA Forest Service tells KIRO 7 the remaining 49% is inaccessible terrain. He says fire teams will likely rely on rainfall, not crews, to reach full containment.
Chief Andrews believes full containment should happen soon if the rain continues.
“The weather forecast is certainly in our favor, and we don’t see anything that would tell us it’s going to change. So we’re going to have a lot of rain, and we think it’ll just burn itself out. And then we’ll be good to go,” says Chief Andrews.
He believes the Bolt Creek Fire will officially close out the state’s wildfire season, and says crews are looking at preparations for next season.
The impact of the Bolt Creek Fire is expected to last for months, particularly along Highway 2, where falling trees and debris could create additional road closures. Washington State Patrol recommends anyone using Highway 2 this winter to check for closures before heading out over Stevens Pass.
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