US 2 reopens again as Bolt Creek Fire continues to burn

Update 12:24 p.m.:

WSDOT announced that they have reopened US 2 after a brief closure this morning to clear hazards caused by the Bolt Creek Fire. While the road has reopened, WSDOT warns drivers that future closures could happen.

OPEN: Crews have completed the necessary tree removal and fire mitigation on US 2 btwn MP 45-48 and all lanes have reopened. #BoltCreekFire remains active, so please check back often for updates as road closures remain possible. https://t.co/qQcYSiKDnu

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) October 3, 2022

Update 9:38 a.m.:

US Highway 2 has been closed again between milepost 45 and milepost 48 near Skykomish starting 10:30 a.m. Monday due to “fire activity.”

“This is expected to be a short-term closure, lasting a few hours, while crews remove a tree that is posing a danger to public safety and wet down the area near the road,” WSDOT said in a statement.

Update 8:52 p.m.:

Crews have reopened Highway 2 between mileposts 49 and 50 after an earlier closure, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

OPEN: US 2 has reopened between MP 49 and 50 following today’s earlier closure from the #BoltCreekFire. Thank you for observing the reduced speed limit and for your patience as this remains an ongoing situation with closures possible. https://t.co/b5xmekPHco

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) October 3, 2022

Update 4:24 p.m.:

Crews closed the highway between mileposts 49 and 50 at about 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

US 2 is back CLOSED in the Skykomish area. Please be cautious and patient if using the detours. If you’re heading to I-90 instead, be prepared for heavy weekend traffic westbound. Follow @wsdot_traffic for US 2 updates, @SnoqualmiePass for I-90 updates. https://t.co/VH1naDbBwW

— Washington State DOT (@wsdot) October 2, 2022

Investigators looking into the Bolt Creek wildfire that shut down US Highway 2 for two weeks have confirmed it was caused by humans.

They still don’t know who started the fire, and the investigation could take weeks to find out.

US 2 reopens again as Bolt Creek Fire evacuation notices lowered

According to the Everett Herald, an incident command team updated the fire’s cause over the weekend. Previously, it was considered “undetermined.”

On Saturday, authorities lifted all evacuation orders for people in Snohomish and King counties as of 8:00 a.m., according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Evacuation orders were at Level 3 and Level 2 for some areas near the fire, which was estimated to have burned 12,070 acres as of Saturday night.

Thursday night, US 2 fully reopened, after it had been shut down for a second time when the fire flared up again near the highway.

#boltcreekfire Update: Oct 1

All evacuations in the fire area have been lifted as of 8 am this morning!

HWY 2 is open – For everyone’s safety, please follow the posted reduced speed limits & drive cautiously through the fire area.

For additional info: https://t.co/WuTA2azctA pic.twitter.com/ji2ZUrWdW7

— King County Sheriff’s Office PIO (@kingcosoPIO) October 1, 2022

Before reopening, crews had to clear debris, put out hot spots and remove burning and hazardous trees.

While the fire continues to burn and firefighters work to contain it, they said nearby residents should be ready to evacuate if the conditions change.