Brush fire in Monroe spurs level 1 evacuation warnings

Published 4:45 pm Monday, September 19, 2022

MONROE — A brush fire within a mile from the command post for the Bolt Creek wildfire garnered a major response and an evacuation readiness warning Monday afternoon.

Reports of the fire northeast of the Galaxy Theatres and west of Chain Link Road came in just after 3 p.m., Snohomish County Regional Fire and Rescue spokesperson Peter Mongillo said. The fire grew to seven acres.

The fire was not in a very densely populated area, but some homes were nearby. And it was on a grassy hill next to wooded areas that could have potentially contributed to its growth.

A Level 1 evacuation warning, meaning “be ready,” was implemented for the neighborhood around Rainier View Road SE. Reached around 4:30 p.m., Mongillo expected that to be lifted within an hour.

Mongillo said the worst of the fire had passed.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re looking better than we were an hour ago,” he said.

Snohomish County Regional Fire and Rescue, Fire District 4, Sky Valley Fire and Duvall Fire were on scene. Crews battling the Bolt Creek fire, where containment efforts continued Monday, offered to come west on U.S. 2 to help, Mongillo said.

Investigators were looking into the cause Monday.

Last week, the outdoor burn ban for unincorporated Snohomish County was upgraded to include recreational fires. That also includes Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Monroe and Sultan. The ban went into effect immediately and will last indefinitely.

The area in red is in a Level 1 evacuation. Be aware of the incident and monitor for further instructions. Many crews are on scene. pic.twitter.com/J0GZUOVDAK

— Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue (@SnoRegionalFire) September 19, 2022