Index

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridges and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Even as flames are quelled, slopes of Bolt Creek fire remain dangerous

Trees and boulders could come down on steep hillsides scarred by fire. Rain could increase threats by loosening soils.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridges and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Authorities on Sunday continued to fight the Bolt Creek wildfire near U.S. 2. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish County Regional Fire and Rescue)

Bolt Creek fire remains in check, but U.S. 2 to stay closed for now

The highway will remain closed through the weekend. There is no firm reopening date.

Authorities on Sunday continued to fight the Bolt Creek wildfire near U.S. 2. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish County Regional Fire and Rescue)
Joe Taylor, co-owner of Pinnacle German Shepards, gets his dogs to sit outside of their new temporary home at Rosecrest Equestrian Estate on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dogs, goats, horses among evacuees of chaotic Bolt Creek wildfire

It has been a stressful week for animals and their owners, who are looking forward to going home as the fire gets under control.

Joe Taylor, co-owner of Pinnacle German Shepards, gets his dogs to sit outside of their new temporary home at Rosecrest Equestrian Estate on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Public information officers Elizabeth Shepard and Lauren Woras put up an informational board regarding the Bolt Creek Fire outside of The Sand Bar Tavern at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Index-Galena Road on Wednesday, Sep. 14, 2022, in Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Reasons for optimism as Bolt Creek Fire remains in check

The fire’s size remained unchanged Wednesday at 9,400 acres. Officials said the cause had yet to be determined.

Public information officers Elizabeth Shepard and Lauren Woras put up an informational board regarding the Bolt Creek Fire outside of The Sand Bar Tavern at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Index-Galena Road on Wednesday, Sep. 14, 2022, in Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Firefighters climbed uphill to cut down trees and prevent them from falling onto the roadway near the Money Creek Campground northwest of Skykomish on Monday. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)

Evacuation order lifted for Index residents who fled Bolt Creek fire

The Bolt Creek fire was up to 9,400 acres, with 5 percent contained. Evacuation orders were downgraded as weather and winds shifted.

Firefighters climbed uphill to cut down trees and prevent them from falling onto the roadway near the Money Creek Campground northwest of Skykomish on Monday. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)
Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridge and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wildfire smoke closes schools in Index, Sultan

Unhealthy air prompted the first wildfire-related closure in Sultan. Power was cut to Index, where students were told to evacuate.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridge and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
U.S. 2 remains closed east of Gold Bar due to the Bolt Creek fire Monday morning near Index, Washington on Sept. 12, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald

Bolt Creek wildfire stalls at nearly 8,000 acres, 2 percent contained

Shifting winds and rain showers will likely lower the risk for homes in Index. Rocks have toppled on U.S. 2.

U.S. 2 remains closed east of Gold Bar due to the Bolt Creek fire Monday morning near Index, Washington on Sept. 12, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald
A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. Highway 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Bolt Creek wildfire grows to nearly 8,000 acres; US 2 closed indefinitely

Evacuation orders remained in place. Only 50% of residents asked to leave had gone, according to the sheriff’s office.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. Highway 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
State Trooper Isaiah Oliver speaks to a BNSF worker at mile marker 31.7 as road closures and evacuations mount in response to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Bolt Creek wildfire explodes to over 3,000 acres, prompts US 2 evacuations

Evacuations were mandatory from Index to Skykomish. In 12 hours, it grew to an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 acres, shutting down U.S. 2.

State Trooper Isaiah Oliver speaks to a BNSF worker at mile marker 31.7 as road closures and evacuations mount in response to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Firefighters works through rescue drills during the Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue’s annual Water Rescue Academy on the Skykomish River Thursday afternoon in Index, Washington on May 5, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

As weather warms, firefighters train for rescues on the Skykomish

Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue sees about 20 to 25 water calls per year. Many of those are preventable.

Firefighters works through rescue drills during the Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue’s annual Water Rescue Academy on the Skykomish River Thursday afternoon in Index, Washington on May 5, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Diane Altman Jennings combs through a photo book with images from her father’s life Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Baring, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Pacific Crest Trail angels offered refuge for 20 years in Baring

Jerry and Andrea Dinsmore helped thousands of hikers, sometimes saving lives. She died in 2017. Jerry followed this month.

Diane Altman Jennings combs through a photo book with images from her father’s life Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Baring, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Index School (Index School District)

Voters to decide fate of critical school funding measures

Levies to pay for staff and programs are on the Feb. 8 ballot in districts across Snohomish County.

Index School (Index School District)
The historic, century-plus old Bush House in Index. (Courtesy Photo)

In Index, historic Bush House Inn is accepting guests once more

Blair and Kathy Corson renovated the 122-year-old hotel, staying true to its original image.

The historic, century-plus old Bush House in Index. (Courtesy Photo)
Family and friends gather at the waters of the Skykomish River at Eagle Falls in memorial of Devin Shelby Thursday afternoon Index on July 29, 2021. Devin Shelby drowned at Eagle Falls and his body has not been recovered. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The Skykomish took him. His parents want him to be the last

A year ago, Devin Shelby drowned at Eagle Falls. His body was never found. His family still grieves.

Family and friends gather at the waters of the Skykomish River at Eagle Falls in memorial of Devin Shelby Thursday afternoon Index on July 29, 2021. Devin Shelby drowned at Eagle Falls and his body has not been recovered. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, February 4, 2014.
Photo taken 20140214

Deaths of two in Skykomish River brings safety to forefront

The men were reportedly not wearing life jackets or helmets when they went tubing Saturday.

Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, February 4, 2014.
Photo taken 20140214
Henry "Hank" Purchase (GoFundMe) 20210712

Support soars for adventurous 5-year-old boy felled by rock

Rebecca Grant says her son Hank, an “adaptable” and “motivated” child, is slowly recovering.

Henry "Hank" Purchase (GoFundMe) 20210712
Karen Sample with her daughter Erin take in the view on the Erinswood Trail. The 0.6-mile loop is an ADA-accessible companion trail to the Leovy Trail in Index on July 6, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

In Index, Erinswood Trail will be a place for everyone

Named after Erin Sample, who has cerebral palsy, it will become fully ADA-compliant.

Karen Sample with her daughter Erin take in the view on the Erinswood Trail. The 0.6-mile loop is an ADA-accessible companion trail to the Leovy Trail in Index on July 6, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Henry "Hank" Purchase (GoFundMe) 20210712

Boy, 6, in critical condition after falling rock hits him

He was flown from Index to a Seattle hospital Sunday after a rock from the Town Wall broke loose.

Henry "Hank" Purchase (GoFundMe) 20210712
Bruce Kimball navigates his way across one of two river crossings he has to make to connect to Index-Galena Road to reach his cabin on Sunday, May 9, 2021 in Index, Wash.

Wilderness awaits beyond the washout on Index-Galena Road

After 15 years, construction has begun, restoring connection to the Wild Sky and Blanca Lake.

Bruce Kimball navigates his way across one of two river crossings he has to make to connect to Index-Galena Road to reach his cabin on Sunday, May 9, 2021 in Index, Wash.