More than a dozen local leaders gather around to discuss short and long-term needs during a meeting addressing the environmental, safety and economic impacts of the Bolt Creek fire on Thursday, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan. In attendance were state and U.S. politicians, the mayors of several Highway 2 towns, and other leadership from Snohomish and King counties. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

More than a dozen local leaders gather around to discuss short and long-term needs during a meeting addressing the environmental, safety and economic impacts of the Bolt Creek fire on Thursday, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan. In attendance were state and U.S. politicians, the mayors of several Highway 2 towns, and other leadership from Snohomish and King counties. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘We’ve seen this coming’: Sky Valley plans for next Bolt Creek-scale fire

U.S. 2 has long needed improvements, but the “unprecedented” blaze lit a fire under policymakers, so to speak.

SULTAN — Skykomish River valley residents have known for a long time that their stretch of U.S. 2 was a looming problem.

With its aging asphalt, narrow shoulders and washed-out bridges, the main corridor connecting rural Snohomish County towns to critical services is overdue for improvements. The nearly 15,000-acre Bolt Creek fire, which raged near the highway for weeks starting Sept. 10, brought new urgency to questions that have long been on the back burner.

At a roundtable discussion Thursday in Sultan, local officials from around the valley sought support from federal lawmakers for an ambitious overhaul of U.S. 2 that planners say could save lives if — or when — another emergency threatens their communities.

U.S. Reps. Kim Schrier and Suzan DelBene and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, along with state and county lawmakers, met with emergency managers and the mayors of small towns at Bubba’s Roadhouse, a bar and grill in Sultan. The small, family-owned operation usually gets most of its traffic from travelers on U.S. 2, but it has seen a dramatic decline in revenue during weeks of intermittent closures along the highway, said owner Bubba Deach. He’s expecting his troubles will only get worse as fire seasons intensify in the coming years.

“We lost probably 75% of our normal earnings in September compared to last year, which were already low because of COVID,” Deach told the lawmakers. “I’m absolutely worried for our future if things keep going this way, and with climate change it seems like that’s a done deal. We’ve seen this coming.”

Other businesses fared even worse as visitors canceled hotel stays and camping trips, creating cascading losses for valley residents who make their living on tourism. Debbie Copple, director of the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce, said she helped locals fill out emergency impact statements in the hope of convincing Gov. Jay Inslee to declare an official emergency for the region. Such a declaration would free up state and federal funds to help those impacted by the fire, Copple said. Inslee’s office did not immediately respond to The Daily Herald’s request for comment.

Beyond the crushing impact on local businesses, local mayors expressed concern that the faulty highway could impede evacuation and emergency services in the event of a future fire like Bolt Creek. Index Mayor Norm Johnson, whose town of 156 people was evacuated last month due to fire risk, told lawmakers he worried a more dire emergency in the future wouldn’t go as smoothly.

Russell Wiita, mayor of Sultan, helps lead a discussion during a meeting of local and state leaders addressing the effects of the Bolt Creek fire Thursday, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Russell Wiita, mayor of Sultan, helps lead a discussion during a meeting of local and state leaders addressing the effects of the Bolt Creek fire Thursday, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Johnson said the Index-Galena Road, a winding dirt road leading from Index north to national forest lands and the Wild Sky Wilderness, could provide a necessary route for evacuations and emergency services for locals who live in remote communities like Baring and Grotto. In years past, the road connected Index to Skykomish via Beckler Road, but it has been closed to the public since it was washed out by floods in 2006. It’s expected to reopen next summer.

Sky Valley Fire Chief Eric Andrews said his “worst fear” in the early days of Bolt Creek was that it would spread far enough to require evacuation of larger towns. If everyone along the corridor had to go at once, he wasn’t optimistic about the outcome. Fire crews barely had enough room to work along the highway as it was.

“Imagine if Sultan and Gold Bar had to get out at the same time as Index did,” Andrews told lawmakers. “That highway would be a mess. I don’t think it could handle it the way we need it to.”

Andrews emphasized that while the worst is over, Bolt Creek is still burning, though it’s no longer a real threat. Despite recent rains, the blaze has survived in scattered pockets where tree canopies prevented underbrush from getting wet.

Sultan Mayor Russell Wiita presented a plan to improve the highway along the “choke point” where it passes through Sultan. The plan would see three new roundabouts and widened bridges within Sultan city limits, which Wiita said would make a difference in everyday traffic for commuters as well as reduce congestion in the event of an emergency.

Wiita said city officials hoped to coordinate with the state Department of Transportation to use dedicated U.S. 2 safety dollars. If all goes to plan, Wiita said, agencies will begin requesting funding for the project in 2023.

Lawmakers in attendance assured attendees that improving U.S. 2 would be a top priority as they returned to Congress, and praised the Sultan plan as a step in the right direction. Cantwell, who has represented the state since 2001, told attendees the Bolt Creek fire had given new immediacy to the need for statewide infrastructure improvements.

“Highway 2 is a critical corridor for everyone in Washington, not just the folks who’ve been impacted in the valley,” Cantwell said. “Especially as I-90 becomes more and more congested, the need to mitigate impacts for everyone becomes more urgent.”

Senator Maria Cantwell, flanked by congresswomen Suzan DelBene and Kim Schrier, speaks about the local impact of the Bolt Creek fire during a meeting of local and state leaders addressing the aftermath of the fire on Thursday, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Senator Maria Cantwell, flanked by congresswomen Suzan DelBene and Kim Schrier, speaks about the local impact of the Bolt Creek fire during a meeting of local and state leaders addressing the aftermath of the fire on Thursday, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Cantwell said she sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service on Thursday asking the agency to prioritize funding for relief in the Bolt Creek burn scar. With the support of federal resources, along with state and local efforts, the region will have a better chance at mitigating existing issues before the next fire, Cantwell said.

State Department of Transportation regional administrator Brian Nielsen told attendees the highway was “open for business” and that no immediate safety risks were apparent due to fire damage on the road itself, aside from some guard rails that burned away. The chance of mudslides and debris flows near Bolt Creek’s burn scar will remain throughout the winter, though, and Nielsen said road crews were already preparing for a busy season with a “24/7 presence” on the highway.

“But it’s somewhat a Mother Nature problem,” Nielsen said. “This kind of fire is somewhat unprecedented on this side of the Cascades. There is only so much we as people can do to prepare.”

Riley Haun: 425-339-3192; riley.haun@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @RHaunID.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.