The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office extended Fourth of July greetings to county residents this morning, marking the occasion with a note that this year's holiday falls on a particularly significant anniversary -- the 250th anniversary of American independence. The office's message was brief: "Happy 4th of July on this very special anniversary! Be safe."
July 4, 2026 marks 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, making this the semiquincentennial of the United States. National observances, branded under the "America 250" initiative, have been planned throughout the year at federal, state, and local levels. Whatcom County has seen its share of those events, with the Fourth of July Spectacular at Zuanich Point Park serving as the main local celebration this weekend.
The Sheriff's Office is among multiple Whatcom County agencies working through the holiday weekend. The department provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county -- a large jurisdiction that includes rural communities, tribal lands, and the border region with Canada. Holiday weekends typically bring increased patrol presence for DUI enforcement, fireworks calls in areas where consumer fireworks are legal, and general public safety support for large gatherings.
For residents in unincorporated Whatcom County, the Sheriff's Office is the primary point of contact for non-emergency law enforcement. The office can be reached through the Whatcom County 9-1-1 Communications Center. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency matters, residents can contact the Sheriff's Office directly through the county's main website.
The Sheriff's Office is also currently managing an active search and rescue operation in the North Cascades backcountry -- search teams have been looking for a missing Canadian hiker near South Twin Sisters Mountain since July 1. Full details on that search are here, including how to report any sightings to 911.
From all the local agencies working today -- BPD, BFD, Whatcom Sheriff, and the many volunteers with Whatcom County Search and Rescue -- have a safe and happy Fourth of July, Whatcom County.
