The Whatcom County Division of Emergency Management released its daily briefing for Wednesday, June 3, reporting no active incidents or activated Emergency Operations Center for the county. While conditions remain relatively stable, the briefing flags two significant upcoming events that every resident in the county should have on their radar: a county-wide Stage 1 burn ban taking effect June 15, and the ongoing presence of FEMA recovery crews in the Sumas and Everson area through June 10.
For much of Whatcom County, the start of summer means outdoor recreation, yard work, and fire pits. This year, the window for that kind of open burning is closing earlier than usual. The Whatcom County Fire Marshal's Office announced in late May that a Stage 1 burn ban for unincorporated Whatcom County will take effect at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in place through September 15, 2026, depending on weather conditions. A Stage 1 ban prohibits burning yard waste, debris, and agricultural materials in unincorporated areas. It does not yet ban recreational fires in designated fire pits, but residents are encouraged to check current restrictions before lighting anything outdoors.
The Washington State Department of Ecology declared a drought for Whatcom County as of April 8, 2026, which contributed to the accelerated timeline for fire restrictions this season. Conditions across the Pacific Northwest have been drier than average this spring, raising the risk of rapidly spreading brush and grass fires even before the driest months of summer arrive. Residents with questions about what is and is not permitted under a Stage 1 burn ban can contact the Whatcom County Fire Marshal's Office or check the county's emergency management page for updates.
In the Sumas and Everson area, FEMA and partner agencies are continuing disaster recovery work through June 10. The nature of the ongoing work is consistent with longer-term recovery operations following previous flooding events that have repeatedly impacted the Fraser River Valley communities along the Canadian border. Sumas and Everson, situated in the flatlands of eastern Whatcom County near the Nooksack River, have faced significant flood damage in prior years, and federal recovery resources have periodically returned to assist with infrastructure and mitigation work.
Residents in and around Sumas and Everson who have questions about available recovery resources or who need to connect with assistance programs should monitor the county's official channels. The Whatcom County Emergency Management plans page provides links to current active programs and recovery contacts.
Separately, the briefing reminded residents of an important public engagement opportunity. A Whatcom County Hazard Mitigation Plan update public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually and is open to all county residents. The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a federally required planning document that identifies natural and human-caused hazards across Whatcom County and outlines strategies that local jurisdictions use to reduce risk and protect property and lives. The public is encouraged to attend and provide input, either at the meeting or through an online survey linked from the county website.
Hazard mitigation planning is not an abstract bureaucratic exercise. For Whatcom County, it directly shapes how local governments invest in flood protection, wildfire preparedness, earthquake resilience, and other long-term safety infrastructure. Public input helps planners prioritize based on what residents actually experience and value in their communities.
The county's Division of Emergency Management operates out of the Sheriff's Office and coordinates preparedness, response, and recovery for all hazards countywide. Residents who want to receive automatic alerts during emergencies can sign up through WhatcomReady, the county's official alert and warning system. Signing up takes only a few minutes and ensures you receive timely notifications about events affecting your specific area.
Looking ahead to this weekend, the Sheriff's Division of Emergency Management will have a table at the Barkley Family Safety Fair on Saturday, June 6. It is a good opportunity for residents to meet DEM staff, ask questions about emergency preparedness, and learn about local hazard risks. More information about the Safety Fair is available here, including what agencies will be present and what activities are planned for families.
