Thank you for reading Monroe This Week.

This week’s edition includes updates on the Bolt Creek Fire, and details on: the complete burn ban now in effect, the local recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, the 2022 Monroe Clean Up event tomorrow, the Sky Valley Mental Health Fair on Sunday, and Snohomish County's Tire Recycling Survey. 

Please contact me with any and all feedback regarding the articles below. I can be reached at GThomas@MonroeWA.gov.

Yours in Service,

UPDATES ON THE BOLT CREEK FIRE

This week, my heart and prayers have been focused on our neighbors along the Skykomish Valley. I am thankful for the work of our responders and people coordinating the response to the Bolt Creek Fire. Please join me in reflecting on their safety, courage, and talents in this crisis. As of time of publication, the most recent updates are as follows:

Evacuation Level Changes

Fire movement has slowed over the past 48 hours. Current guidance:

• Index – reduced from a Level 2 (Set) to a Level 1 (Ready)
• No other evacuation levels in Snohomish County
• Baring, Grotto, and area along U.S. 2 to MP 48 (east of the Money Creek tunnel) remains at Level 3 (Go). Additionally, FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road) remains at Level 3. Skykomish remains at Level 1

Officials estimate approximately 9,440 acres have burned as of Friday morning. It is 5% contained. No deaths or injuries have been reported, and one outbuilding was burned Sunday.

U.S. 2 remains closed from Index-Galena Road to the junction of 5th Stre N into the town of Skykomish (MP 49). The highway remains unsafe to travel due to rock fall and fire debris. Use caution and slow down when driving on U.S. 2, particularly when encountering fire-fighting vehicles headed to and from wildfire areas.

Here in Monroe, we remain prepared to respond as conditions can change rapidly. City staff and I are in contact with agency personnel including Snohomish County Emergency Management and Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue. We are also in contact with non-profit partners and service providers as they respond to community needs. I am thankful for this coordination and their work.

We’ve been receiving phone calls and reading messages on social media asking where to find information on donations and sheltering. The Snohomish County website for the Bolt Creek Wildfire has situation reports, fire map, shelter, and donation information that can be found here.

COMPLETE BURN BAN NOW IN EFFECT

In response to the current high fire danger and existing wildland fires as described above, Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue (SRFR) has upgraded the outdoor burn ban previously issued on July 23, 2022 for the unincorporated areas of Snohomish County to a complete burn ban. This restriction bans all outdoor burning, including recreational fires. The upgraded burn ban will take effect immediately and be effective until further notice.

Exceptions include charcoal and gas grills. Incorporated cities and towns covered by this outdoor burning ban are Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Monroe, and Sultan. All residential outdoor burn permits, including permits issued by PSCAA (Puget Sound Clean Air Agency) for agricultural burning, are suspended until this ban is lifted. This ban will remain in effect until there is a sustained period of rainfall and the fire risk is reduced. Please visit the SRFR website for updates and more information.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH BEGINS

This week, I issued a Proclamation recognizing September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. In 1988, the United States Congress adopted a resolution recognizing September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating the culture and traditions of Spanish speaking residents. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; September 16 is the anniversary of independence for Mexico; and September 18 is the anniversary of independence for Chile.

Our Hispanic community brings a rich cultural heritage representing many countries, ethnicities, and religious traditions that are interwoven into the fabric of America, and has a profound influence on our city and country. I encourage all residents to read the Proclamation to learn more about the rich Hispanic culture, traditions and history, and to celebrate the contributions that have been made to our country and our community by Hispanic Americans.

Esta semana, publiqué una Proclamación reconociendo del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre como el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. En 1988, el Congreso de los Estados Unidos adoptó una resolución reconociendo el mes de la Herencia Hispana del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, celebrando la cultura y las tradiciones de los residentes de habla hispana. El 15 de septiembre es el aniversario de la independencia de Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua; El 16 de septiembre es el aniversario de la independencia de México; y el 18 de septiembre es t y el 18 de septiembre es el aniversario de la independencia de Chile.

Nuestra comunidad hispana trae una rica herencia cultural que representa a muchos países, etnias y tradiciones religiosas que están entrelazadas en el tejido de Estados Unidos, y tiene una profunda influencia en nuestra ciudad y país. Animo a todos los residentes a leer la Proclamación para aprender más acerca de la rica cultura, tradiciones e historia hispana, y para celebrar las contribuciones que han hecho a nuestro país y a nuestra comunidad por hispanoamericanos.

CITY RECOGNIZES HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS

This week, I issued a Proclamation recognizing September as Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Hydrocephalus is primarily characterized by excessive cerebrospinal fluid on the brain that results in abnormal widening of the spaces in the ventricles, which creates harmful pressure and can be fatal if left untreated. There is no cure for Hydrocephalus, and the only treatment is brain surgery; many individuals require multiple surgeries throughout their lives to remain well. Hydrocephalus affects approximately one million Americans in every stage of life, from infants to the elderly. One out of every one thousand babies are born with hydrocephalus, making it as common as Down’s Syndrome, and more common than spina bifida or brain tumors; it is the most common reason for brain surgery in children. I encourage all residents to read the Proclamation, and to join the City Council and myself in this worthy observance.

2022 MONROE CLEANUP EVENT TOMORROW

Tomorrow is the 2022 Monroe Clean Up Event, hosted by Republic Services. The event will take place at the Monroe Speedway from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Accepted items include:

• Regular household trash
• Furniture
• Scrap metal

They are unable to accept:

• Yard, food, medical, or electronic waste
• BBQ coal
• Motors with oil or fuel
• Paints or other chemicals
• Roofing materials
• Asbestos

• Concrete or asphalt rocks
• Dirt or stumps
• Pet litter
• Explosives
• Batteries
• Appliances
• Tires

You must bring a completed copy of their release form with you to the event to serve as proof of residence. Republic Services maintains a Monroe specific website with customer service information and community updates that you can find here.

SKY VALLEY MENTAL HEALTH FAIR THIS SUNDAY

Don't forget! The Determined Parents Foundation is bringing the Sky Valley Mental Health Fair and Family Fun Day to Sky River Park this Sunday, September 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come enjoy carnival style games, kids activities, food, a dance competition, music, vendors, raffle and much more for free! All while gaining access to vital resources and service providers. 

SNOHOMISH COUNTY TIRE RECYCLING SURVEY

Snohomish County is trying to find where the rubber meets the road. The Solid Waste Division of Public Works is researching the need for a future countywide tire recycling event through an anonymous public survey for Snohomish County residents. The short survey will help county staff understand the demand, size, and scope, and help in applying for a state grant to host an event. You can find the survey here. 

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format; members of the public may participate in Monroe City Council meetings both in-person at City Hall and remotely via the Zoom remote meeting platform. Participation information will be posted with the September 20 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.