Whatcom County Fire District 7 firefighters have responded to several open fires in the last couple of weeks, an indicator to expect burn bans in the near future.
Whatcom County Fire District 17, serving Sandy Point Shores, Sandy Point Heights, Neptune Heights, Neptune Beach and western portions of the Lummi Indian Reservation, announced today a residential burn ban will go into effect in their district starting 8am Monday, July 25th. Only recreational camp fires less than 3 feet in diameter and located 25 feet away from structures or combustibles will be permitted while the ban is in place.
Whatcom County Deputy Fire Marshal Wain Harrison told Discover Ferndale to expect other districts to do the same any time within the next couple of weeks. “We are monitoring fuel moisture levels and may revise that,” according to Harrison.
According to a weather station located near Ferndale High School, there has been 0.50 inches of rainfall this month with no measurable rainfall since July 12th.
As always, there is a permanent burn ban in place within the Ferndale city limits.
UPDATE 3pm
Just as this article went live, the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s office notified Discover Ferndale that a Stage 1 burn ban would go into effect Tuesday, July 26th. According to Harrison, a Stage 1 ban limits burning to only recreational camp fires less than 3 feet in diameter and located more than 25 feet away from any structures and other combustibles. This ban would be in effect for all unincorporated areas of Whatcom County (i.e. outside of any city limits).