After yesterday’s large fire in Blaine and upwards of six similar fires around the county today, the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office told Discover Ferndale they are reinstating the burn ban effective immediately.
The burn ban had been lifted almost a week ago after a return to seasonal rains and humidity. But it appears it was still too soon as firefighters scrambled to deal with over half-dozen calls of outside fires today alone.
UPDATE 9/14/16
According to the Fire Marshal’s office,
Recreational fires will still be allowed in designated campgrounds and on improved properties with the landowner’s permission. Recreational fires are fires that are less than 3 feet in diameter, burning only seasoned firewood or charcoal, and are built in an approved fire enclosure.
NOTE: Whatcom County Fire District 17 Fire Chief Jim Petrie told Discover Ferndale, “WCFD#17 is not part of the county wide burn ban. There are no burn bans in effect in district #17 (Sandy Point).” Fire Inspector Mitch Nolte also adds, “this [ban] does NOT apply to Lummi Island (Whatcom County Fire District #11). They are still under a COMPLETE burn ban until further notice.”