County Fire Marshal to lift burn ban

Due to the increase in fuel moisture levels and recent rain, the Fire Marshal’s Office will lift the burn ban for outdoor burning.

Two weeks ago, a flurry of outdoor fires sent firefighters around Whatcom County scrambling over two days. That was enough for the County Fire Marshal’s Office to reinstate a burn ban lifted the week prior. Since then, and only in the past few days, have the seasonal rains returned and with enough moisture to warrant lifting the ban once again.

According to an announcement sent out this morning from the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office, the burn ban will be lifted effective 8am tomorrow, September 27th.

At that time, verbal burn permits will be available via the Burn Information Line [ (360) 778-5903].  Written burn permits for fires larger than 4’ X 4’ will be available at the Planning & Development Services Office.

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A permanent ban on open burning remains in effect in the Cities of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Birch Bay, Kendall, the Cherry Point area, and their urban growth areas.  For more information on the permanent burn ban you may contact the Northwest Clean Air Agency at (360) 428-1617 or check their website at http://www.nwcleanair.org.

Lummi Island, Whatcom Fire District #11, remains under a total burn ban at least until the Whatcom Chief returns to service after its annual maintenance. Whatcom Fire District #17’s region, Sandy Point Shores, Sandy Point Heights, Neptune Heights, Neptune Beach and other western portions of the Lummi Indian Reservation, has been without a burn ban for a few weeks.