WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — South Whatcom Fire Authority (SWFA) has reached agreement with the City of Bellingham and is currently in negotiation with Washington State Parks. But, according to a media release published today, Friday, May 1, 2026, Whatcom County recently notified SWFA it would not enter into an agreement. As a result, services will not be provided in some recreational areas.
Effective July 1, 2026, SWFA will change response protocols for outdoor recreation areas located outside its legal boundaries. The SWFA Board of Fire Commissioners decided to stop providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and rescue services in specific recreation areas.
Affected areas include the following.
- Lake Whatcom
- Lookout Mountain
- Chuckanut Mountain, excluding Larrabee State Park
- parts of Galbraith Mountain, excluding the Galbraith Mountain Recreation Easement area
Lake Samish is not affected by these changes.
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SWFA officials stated they have attempted negotiations with Whatcom County since 2023. Whatcom County recently notified SWFA it would not enter into an agreement. According to the media release, emergency responses in these recreation areas have increased since SWFA was formed in 2009. The board determined that continuing services without a compensation agreement is not a responsible use of tax dollars.
SWFA secured an agreement last year with the City of Bellingham to continue providing EMS services to the Galbraith Mountain Recreation Easement area. The agency will also continue responding to Larrabee State Park for a period while negotiating an agreement with Washington State Parks. Mutual aid agreements with other Whatcom County agencies and a joint fire protection agreement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) remain in effect.
SWFA stated delays in service will occur as a result of the change. The public is instructed to continue calling 911 to report emergencies.
UPDATE — May 1, 2026
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The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) provided the following statement regarding the South Whatcom Fire Authority’s announcement.
We are aware of South Whatcom Fire Authority’s (SWFA) constraints and stance on providing service outside its legal boundaries for service.Speaking only for the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR), our plan is to continue to activate volunteers for rescue and recovery as needed. SAR units’ response includes urban searches as well as mountain, backcountry and swift water rescue.The change SWFA announced may result in longer response times, and increased reliance on volunteer SAR resources. We will continue to evaluate the potential impacts to public safety outcomes and will work with our partners to identify mitigation strategies where feasible.We strongly encourage continued dialogue with our fire districts and municipal partners to ensure the public clearly understands these changes and their implications. Our office remains committed to coordinating resources effectively and supporting all jurisdictions in maintaining the highest level of safety possible under evolving operational conditions.
– Amy Cloud, PIO, on behalf of Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Steve Harris (May 1, 2026)
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