Whatcom County outdoor burn restrictions to be lifted October

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Outdoor burn restrictions in unincorporated Whatcom County will be lifted at 8am on October 1, 2026, according to the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office. Officials cited increased fuel moisture levels and recent rain for lifting the outdoor burn ban.

All outdoor burning requires a permit, except for legal recreational fires. Verbal burn permits will become available via the Outdoor Burning Information Line at (360) 778-5903 starting at 8am on October 1. Written permits for fires larger than 4 feet by 4 feet will be available at the Planning & Development Services Office, located at 5280 Northwest Dr. Online applications can be submitted to EPermits@co.whatcom.wa.us, with requirements available on the Whatcom County website.

The county announcement noted that property owners within Whatcom County Fire District 5 (Point Roberts), Whatcom County Fire District 11 (Lummi Island), and Whatcom County Fire District 17 (Sandy Point) must contact those individual districts to determine local restrictions. Properties falling under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources or federal forest and park jurisdictions also require contact prior to burning.

Permanent bans on open burning remain in effect for the cities and Urban Growth Areas of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Birch Bay, Columbia Valley, and Cherry Point.

Violations of county burn restrictions carry a minimum fine of $250. Illegal fires that require fire department response can result in liability for fire suppression costs and criminal charges for reckless burning.

On Lummi Island, Whatcom County Fire District 11 Fire Chief Michael Lish announced September 29 that fire danger decreased to high and the burn ban was eased from Stage 2 to Stage 1. Lish stated that the adjustment took effect immediately due to fuel moisture recovery, with conditions monitored through October.