Very dry conditions and a red flag warning on Monday are adding to the challenges presented by the Bolt Creek Fire. The blaze that started Sept. 10 is now in its third week, relentlessly burning near Skykomish just west of Stevens Pass.
So far it has scorched more than 11,200 acres and continues to grow. About 150 firefighters are working to slow it down.
The dry conditions led to bumped-up evacuation warnings, just after U.S. Highway 2 fully reopened over the weekend. The west side of the Money Creek Tunnel to milepost 48 and Forest Service Road 65 are under Level 3 orders — that means you need to leave now.
Skykomish, Baring, Grotto and U.S. 2 east of the Money Creek Tunnel are under a level 2 notice — everyone in those areas should be ready to go in case of an evacuation order.