This past summer saw the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office (WCFMO) implement a Stage 1 burn ban on July 5th and then an upgrade to a Stage 2 burn ban (no recreational fires) on July 31st. Extended periods without rain plus unseasonably warm weather resulted in low fuel moisture levels necessitating the bans.
Today, the WCFMO announced the Stage 2 burn ban would be downgraded to a Stage 1 burn ban effective 8am tomorrow, Wednesday, September 20th in unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. According to the announcement, “Due to the increase in fuel moisture levels and recent rain, the Fire Marshal’s Office will begin to allow recreational fires again.”
Under a Stage 1 ban, all outdoor fires are prohibited including land clearing and yard debris fires. But recreational fires are allowed in designated campgrounds and on improved properties with the landowner’s permission. Recreational fires are fires that are less than 3 feet in diameter, burning only seasoned firewood or charcoal and are built in an approved fire enclosure.
Residents within the Ferndale city limits continue to follow the permanent burn ban that prohibits land-clearing and residential burning of yard clippings and other vegetative debris in the city and adjacent urban growth areas.
Whatcom County Fire District 17 Fire Chief Jim Petrie announced the lifting of the burn ban in his district entirely, also effective 8am tomorrow, Wednesday, September 20th. District 17 encompasses Sandy Point Shores, Sandy Point Heights, Neptune Heights, Neptune Beach and other western portions of the Lummi Indian Reservation.
Violations of burn restrictions can result in a minimum $250.00 fine. In addition, if you have an illegal fire that escapes or needs to be extinguished by the fire department, you may be held financially responsible for fire suppression costs, as well as criminally responsible according to WCFMO.