Burn ban announced for unincorporated Whatcom County

The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office announced a summer burn ban for all of unincorporated Whatcom County beginning 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 15 through at least Monday, September 15.

The final date could be extended due to dry weather. Last year’s burn ban started later, on July 1, and ended on September 14.

The burn ban will prohibit land-clearing and yard-debris burning, and all issued burn permits will be suspended in unincorporated parts of the county, which includes Birch Bay and Custer.

According to the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office, recreational fires will still be permitted with landowner’s permission, but must meet a list of requirements:

• Fires must only contain seasoned firewood or charcoal.

• Fires need to be contained in a cement, stone or steel enclosure no larger than three feet by three feet with a height of 16 inches.

• Beach fires, where allowed, must be dug into an eight-inch pit, surrounded by four inches of rock enclosure.

• All fires must be 25 feet from structures, timber and combustible materials, and a charged garden house or two five-gallon buckets must be next to the fire along with a shovel or rake.

• No burning is allowed when winds exceed seven miles per hour.

Burn ban violations may result in a minimum $250 fine, and those responsible for damages caused by escaped fires can be held financially responsible for suppression costs and may be held liable for criminal charges.