WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Due to the increase in fuel moisture levels and recent rain, the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office announced yesterday, September 27th, they have lifted the burn ban for outdoor burning as of 4pm yesterday. This change effects unincorporated areas of Whatcom County.
Fire Marshal’s Office officials remind, that even with the burn ban lifted, all outdoor burning requires a permit except for legal recreational fires.
Please use extreme caution! Vegetation is still recovering from the long stretch of dry weather and is susceptible to fire spread. Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office (September 27, 2023)
Verbal burn permits are available via the Outdoor Burning Information Line at 360-778-5903. Written burn permits for fires larger than 4-foot by 4-foot will be available at the Whatcom County Planning & Development Services Office located at 5280 Northwest Drive.
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Click for more informationFire districts covering Pt. Roberts, Lummi Island and Sandy Point areas are not under the Fire Marshal’s burn ban jurisdiction. Anyone wanting to burn outdoors in any of those areas should first contact their respective fire district to learn of their burning restrictions.
Permanent Stage 1 Burn Bans (only recreational fires are allowed) are in place within the following incorporated cities and their urban growth areas (UGAs).
- City of Bellingham and surrounding UGAs
- City of Sumas and surrounding UGAs
- City of Lynden and surrounding UGAs
- Cities of Everson and Nooksack and surrounding UGAs
- City of Ferndale and surrounding UGAs
- City of Blaine and surrounding UGAs
- Urban growth area of Cherry Point
- Urban growth area of Columbia Valley
- Urban growth area of Birch Bay
UGAs are under the jurisdiction of the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office in the event of Stage 2 or 3 burn bans.