Burn ban lifts in unincorporated Whatcom County

The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office has announced it will lift the stage 2 burn ban in unincorporated Whatcom County at midnight Saturday, October 4. The end of the summer restrictions comes as the area is seeing an increase in rain and fuel moisture levels.

The fire marshal’s office enacted its original burn ban on June 15 before upgrading it to a stage 2 ban on July 19. While the ban will be removed, the office warns people still need to use extreme caution as fires are still possible following a dry summer.

Except for legal recreational fires, people must receive a permit before outdoor burning. Fire rules are available on the county fire marshal’s office website, bit.ly/4nX5ObS.

Starting October 4, verbal burn permits will be available through the county’s outdoor burning information line, and written burn permits for fires larger than four feet by four feet will be issued at the Whatcom County Planning and Development Services office, 5280 Northwest Drive. Burn permit applications are available on the fire marshal’s website.

Open burning is indefinitely prohibited in the cities and urban growth areas of Blaine, Birch Bay, Cherry Point, Ferndale, Bellingham, Lynden, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas and Columbia Valley.

People must contact the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, federal forests or federal parks if they plan to start a fire in any of those areas, including Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park. Properties that fall under the jurisdictions of the Point Roberts, Lummi Island or Sandy Point fire districts must contact those fire agencies for information on whether their bans have been lifted.

Burn ban violations may result in a minimum fine of $250 and reckless burning charges.

The county’s outdoor burning information line, which gives current burning information and verbal permits, can be reached at 360/778-5903. Questions left unanswered by the information line may be directed to the fire marshal’s office at 360/778-5900.