Residents and property owners across Whatcom County should prepare for the annual fire season: a Stage 1 burn ban will go into effect on Monday, June 15, 2026, and run through September 15. The ban was announced last month by the Whatcom County Fire Marshal's Office and applies to outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county. The restrictions may be increased or extended at the Fire Marshal's discretion depending on weather and fire danger conditions.
A Stage 1 burn ban prohibits most outdoor burning, including yard waste, recreational fires below 2 feet in diameter, and burning in designated burn barrels. Campfires are generally restricted to metal fire pits or other enclosed containers at developed recreation sites. Violations can result in fines. Residents with questions about what is and is not permitted should consult the South Whatcom Fire Authority or their local fire district before lighting anything outdoors.
The burn ban comes as fire danger ramps up heading into summer. Whatcom County typically sees elevated risk beginning in mid-June, with dry conditions persisting through the end of the summer. Firefighting agencies coordinate with the county on seasonal burn restrictions to reduce the chance of wildfires spreading in the drier months when vegetation turns from green to brown.
In other emergency management news, FEMA and partner organizations are completing recovery work in the Sumas and Everson areas today, June 10. The county's daily emergency briefings have noted ongoing recovery operations in the two Nooksack Valley communities since at least early June, with June 10 marking the anticipated end of that deployment. Residents in those communities who still need assistance should contact Whatcom County Emergency Management at whatcomcounty.us or visit WhatcomReady.org for resources.
The county's Emergency Operations Center currently reports no active incidents. There are no evacuations in effect and no active emergency alerts countywide as of this briefing. Residents are encouraged to stay signed up for the WhatcomAlert notification system to receive timely warnings about wildfires, floods, and other hazards. You can register at WhatcomReady.org.
Looking ahead, the county is hosting a virtual public meeting about the Whatcom County Hazard Mitigation Plan update on Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m. The meeting is open to all residents and provides an opportunity to learn about hazards identified across the county and how local jurisdictions are working to reduce risks from floods, earthquakes, landslides, wildfires, and other natural events. Public input is actively encouraged at the meeting or through an online survey posted at whatcomcounty.us.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a federally required document that guides how local governments reduce risk from natural disasters. Public participation helps ensure the plan reflects community priorities and local knowledge. The last update incorporated extensive public feedback, and this revision is expected to be no different.
With summer activities ramping up across Whatcom County, the combination of the burn ban and active emergency preparedness messaging serves as a useful reminder for residents to review their own household emergency plans. The county recommends having at least three days of supplies ready, knowing your evacuation routes, and checking in on neighbors who might need extra help during an emergency.
