Local

New emergency phone installed at Verlot Ranger Station near Big Four Ice Caves

VERLOT, Wash. — Monday, the forest service and Snohomish County officially re-launched access to 911 service at the Verlot Ranger Station.

In November, Frontier Communications briefly removed the pay phone at the station in the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Forest. It was then re-installed until an alternative means of emergency communications could be found.

There is little to no cell service along the Mountain Loop Highway until Granite Falls, which raised concerns about emergencies at the Big Four Ice Caves. To get cell service after an emergency at the ice caves is about a 40-minute drive.

In July 2015, a woman was killed and five more were injured in a collapse. In July 2010, Grace Tam, 11, was standing outside the ice caves when a large piece of ice, the size of truck, gave way and killed her.

The pay phone at the Ranger Station is the closest place, about 15 miles from the caves, to call 911.

The Forest Service and Snohomish County partnered to get a new pay phone installed.  Paid for by the forest service, the equipment cost about $1,000.

The phone can be used to make free 911, local and 1-800 calls. A calling card can be used for long distance calls.

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