Officials say not to worry if you see an authorized controlled burn in eastern Whatcom County

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The smoke from a large, controlled burn in eastern Whatcom County is expected to be visible to many. Officials say not to worry and not to call 911.

Source: Washington State Department of Natural Resources,

According to Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the burn on Red Mountain involves an estimated 121 tons of fuel and is scheduled to be ignited about 9:30am on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Whatcom County Fire District 14 issued a statement saying that they expect to spend 2 days at the fire and with a wildland engine and a tender.

The piles will be very visible from the Mt. Baker Hwy in and around Kendall, and beyond. Please don’t call 911 to report the smoke or flames visible on the mountain.
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This burn accomplishes a few big goals, the first is that it provides invaluable experience for our wildland firefighters, and the second is that it reduces fuel loading in our forest (So it can’t make for a terrible event in the summer).
– Whatcom County Fire District 14 (October 30, 2025)