Sky Valley Fire

08/23/2026

Our firefighters along with many others in the county (Locally Sky Valley, Skykomish King 50, Sultan Dist. 5, Snohomish Regional Fire, all continue to fight fires across our state. Last night SVF sent crews to the Colwash fire near Prosser. Yesterday the fire grew rapidly to 35,000 acres in less than 24 hours. Level 3 evacuations are on going. Meanwhile we are sending replacement crews to the Paradise fire so the firefighters assigned there can get some days off. We also have crews working Little Giant in Lake Chelan and Prarie Fire in Skagit County along with several other fires where we have provided command and control staff and incident support. Fires of significant size have started in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. We now have the Miners fire in Snohomish County above Silverton in the Glacier peak wilderness with no structures threatened. At least eight new significant fires were started in this weekends lightning storm. Fire resources are very scarce to fight these fires. California and Utah have sent task forces to assist and the Washington National Guard has activated hundreds of gaurdsman to assist. The weather outlook is not good for most of the state in coming weeks. While clouds and a very small drizzle of rain has occurred here (not enough to decrease our fire danger) those clouds produce no rain as they reach the East side. They produce more dry lightning and more wind that worsens conditions. Do your part and prevent more fires here at home. Have an evacuation plan. If you haven't done so remove flammables from around your home. Don't burn outside until the burn ban has lifted. The sheriffs office has started issuing reckless burning citations (two we know of in the Gold Bar area) depending on degree this can be a class C felony. Reckless burning can result in your immediate arrest and mandatory court appearence, much more than a fine, dont chance it ! We greatly appreciate the long days, weeks and now months our firefighters have been on the lines. We greatly appreciate the extra shifts firefighters are picking up to keep our fire stations staffed. And as always the families that are missing their loved ones who are gone. We have amazing volunteer, part time and full time firefighters working together.

08/21/2026

RED FLAG WARNING: A red flag warning is now in effect through Saturday evening. Due to current level 2 burn ban, the red flag warning does not change outdoor burning restrictions which will remain in place regardless of red flag conditions. It is also forecast we may get a small amount of rain Saturday. This predicted rainfall will not be sufficient to lift the burn ban of all outdoor fires.

08/12/2026

EXTENDED RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT! UNTIL 9:00 PM ON 8-14-26.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HBRDGsx4R/

A new red flag warning (fire weather warning) has been issued for the western slopes of the north Cascades, the west Cascades of Snohomish County, and far northeast King County in the Cascades. Also, the Olympic Mountains are included in the warning. This is due to the possibility of thunderstorms starting new fires, and erratic gusty outflow winds.

"Isolated to scattered thunderstorm coverage is
possible across the northern Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains. Thunderstorms will develop today from the northwest and spread across the area.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...Any storms that develop will be capable of
gusty and erratic outflow winds between 20 and 30 miles per
hour. Outflow winds can occur ahead of and behind storms and
cause erratic wind directions.

* IMPACTS...Scattered lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple
fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind
shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire`s
rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow
winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of
a new lightning-caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air
quality may diminish in the surrounding area."

More info in comments. 1:14PM 08-12-26 -Benjamin J

08/06/2026

Fires in Eastern Washington continue to need fire resources. After the devistating fire storm in 1991 Washington state law makers approved the fire mobilization act. This program allows fire agencies willing to send resources, to help overwhelmed communities, a guarantee of reimbursment of costs. Once a large fire breaks out in a community and all the local fire resources are committed and the fire continues to grow out of control the fire chief of that community can request activation of a state wide mobilization call for help. In the 90s we saw 3 or 4 events annually that required this level of assistance. Fast forward to the last five years we see 30 to 40 events or more. Not only the amount of events but the duration of need. Fire season is not even half over and we have had resources being sent from fire to fire all over the state and some to our neighboring states. At one point last week there were more state fire mobilization requests than could be filled. Not all fire agencies are able to send resources and the few that do send help have to balance needs at their home agency and what they can send. No agency wants to reduce their resources and then experience a major event in their own District. But without the willingness of agencies to provide help the system would fail. The Bolt Creek Fire is an example of how state fire mobilization helped our community in its time of need. Fire resources from around the state sent help of over 200 firefighters and apparatus. We are proud to be a participant in State Fire Mobilization and want to recognize King County Fire District 50, Snohomish County Fire District 5, and Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue, all East Snohomish county fire agencies that support and provide resources for state fire mobilization. Other Snohomish County fire agencies include South Sno. Co. Fire, North Sno. Co. Fire, City of Everett, Paine Field Fire, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 4, Snohomish County Fire DIst. 15, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 16, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 19, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 21, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 22, and Snohomish County Fire Dist. 25. Because of your willingness to help other communities state wide we are a safer community and state. Each of these agencies firefighters and staff go beyond the call for duty. You are all very much appreciated !

08/05/2026

We all love a summer recreational fire but the following information indicates we must do all we can to prevent a wildland fire. Our Energy Release Component (ERC) currently sits at 22 but will rise to 35 by this coming weekend. Our 100-hr fuel moisture is at 18 and will drop to 13 by this coming weekend. Our 1000-hr fuel moisture is at 19 and will drop to 14 by this coming weekend. There is no measurable amount of rain in the forecast for at least 2 weeks. Based on this information the Fire Chief of Sky Valley has issued a complete burn ban effective 8/6/2026 until we can get some of the fuel models back in a safe area. This will require a significant amount of rain fall. You will see conflicting information on the state burn ban that allows recreational fires and currently on the county fire marshal's ban. The law allows fire agencies to set more strict burning restrictions than currently exist by other agencies. We expect other burn bans from county and/or state to also increase their burning restrictions. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation ! Outdoor barbecues and propane fire pits are ok provided there is no combustible vegitation within 10 feet.

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07/25/2026

Today, members of Sky Valley Fire and Sultan Fire came together for a joint training focused on apparatus familiarization and hose loads. Taking the time to learn how each department’s equipment is organized and deployed helps ensure we can work seamlessly together when we are on emergency calls.

When neighboring agencies train side by side, we’re building more than knowledge—we’re building teamwork, communication, and confidence. Whether it’s a structure fire, vehicle collision, or other emergency, these trainings help us provide the best possible service to our communities.

A big thank you to Snohomish County Fire District 5 (Sultan Fire) for spending the day training with us. We look forward to many more opportunities to learn from one another!

07/22/2026

NOTICE: Red flag warning in affect now until 10:00 PM Thursday(July 23). No outdoor fires are allowed in Fire District 26. Please report any unexplained smole to 911.

07/18/2026

Proud to support our neighboring State of Oregon - our Type 3 Engine assembled and left for a “critical need” structure protection task force late last night.

Our state is sending firefighting assistance to help Oregon under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. While our state has several wildfires, resources here have not been exhausted and state officials believe helping Oregon is possible. Two Task Forces are responding for a duration of two weeks. They’re made up of 30 personnel with 10 Engines and three command vehicles. They include personnel from Snohomish FD15, Snohomish FD22, Everett FD, Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue, Snohomish FD26, Clark-Cowlitz F&R, as well as several King County fire authorities: Eastside Fire & Rescue, Bothell FD, Renton FD, Valley Regional FA and Shoreline FD.

We wish them well and thank them for their dedication and service.

Oregon Department of Emergency Management Oregon Department of Forestry

(Photo of the East Evans Creek Fire in Oregon, although that may not be where the teams end up)

07/15/2026

RED FLAG WARNING: As suspected the fire weather watch has increased to a red flag warning beginning Thursday morning at 1:00 AM through 11:00 PM. Red Flag warnings are the highest level of wildfire weather danger. There is a complete outdoor burning ban Thursday (July 16). Outdoor contained bbq are ok. The worst conditions are expected at 1500 feet or above elevation. If you see any unexplained outdoor smoke call 911 to report. Sky valley fire thanks you for your help.