Birch Bay draws some of the largest holiday crowds in Whatcom County every Fourth of July, and this year is no exception. With America's 250th birthday landing on a Friday, officials with the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Parks are asking beachgoers to plan ahead, leave it cleaner than they found it, and understand where fireworks are and are not allowed.
Birch Bay is an unincorporated community in northwestern Whatcom County, situated along the shores of Birch Bay between Blaine and Ferndale. The bay is one of the most popular summer destinations in the region, drawing families from across the county and across the border for warm-weather beach access and a slower, quieter pace than Bellingham's urban waterfront. Holiday weekends are reliably its busiest days of the year.
The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office shared a pointed message ahead of the holiday: beaches and communities need to be respected, not just used. Specifically, the sheriff's message linked to guidance from the Birch Bay Community on how to celebrate responsibly and what to expect on the beach this weekend.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has statewide rules in place for July 4th weekend. Fireworks are prohibited on all state park land, including ocean beach sections that front a state park. This includes the Birch Bay State Park area. Violators face a $99 citation, and more critically, fireworks in dry summer conditions can start fires and harm wildlife. State Parks also reminded visitors of a familiar message: pack it in, pack it out. Last year, volunteers removed more than 141,000 pounds of trash from Washington's beaches the morning after July Fourth. That's not a typo.
Most ocean beach approaches in the state will have dumpsters available. If there's no bin near where you're camping or celebrating, bring your own bag and take your trash with you. Everything from bottle caps to fireworks casing can be harmful to shorebirds, marine mammals, and other wildlife that use these beaches year-round.
For those watching from Birch Bay, it's also worth noting the proximity to the Puget Sound No Discharge Zone, which is relevant for anyone with a vessel in the bay. Whatcom County Public Works recently put out a reminder that Y-valves on sewage systems must remain closed in the zone at all times. Boaters anchoring in Birch Bay over the holiday weekend should double-check that requirement before heading out.
Birch Bay has been a holiday gathering spot for generations of Whatcom County families. The community is known for its relaxed, neighborhood-beach feel, and residents have expressed concern in recent years about post-holiday cleanup loads and the environmental toll on the bay's shoreline and tidal areas. Local organizations that monitor water quality in Birch Bay have flagged runoff and waste contamination as ongoing concerns, particularly during high-traffic holiday weekends.
The July 4th weekend also marks the unofficial midpoint of summer beach season in northwest Washington. Conditions this year have been warm and dry, with Whatcom County under drought conditions and the state's DNR reporting moderate fire danger. That combination makes fireworks of any kind outside of permitted professional shows particularly risky.
If you're heading to Birch Bay this weekend, more community guidance and event information can be found at the Birch Bay community website. For those who want to attend a professional fireworks show instead of watching backyard displays, full details on the Port of Bellingham event at Zuanich Point Park are available here.
