Officials with the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office announced today due to the warm weather conditions ahead and decreasing fuel moisture levels they will be enacting restrictions on open burning throughout unincorporated Whatcom County starting at 8am on Monday, July 27th.
Officials with the Whatcom County Fire District 11, serving Lummi Island, also have announced fire danger will be raised to “HIGH”, also at 8am on Monday, July 27th, and a burn ban will go into effect for the island at that time.
Whatcom County Fire District 17, serving the Sandy Point region, implemented a permanent burn ban this year prohibiting residential yard debris, beach debris and land clearing fires at any time.
A similar permanent burn ban is in place within the City of Ferndale and surrounding Urban Growth Areas.
In areas with burn bans in effect, recreational fires (e.g. campfires) are still allowed only if less than 2-feet in diameter, be at least 25 feet from structures, burn only seasoned firewood or charcoal and there is a charged garden hose or 10 gallons of water with a bucket nearby. All fires must be cold to touch prior to leaving alone and no burning is allowed when winds exceed 7mph.
Officials with the National Weather Service pointed out today, July 23rd, that “temperatures will warm up this weekend and become hot by Monday.” High temperatures are expected to pass the 80-degree mark Sunday and Monday according to the current Ferndale area weather forecast.