Fire marshal’s office lifts burn ban

The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office lifted its burn ban for unincorporated Whatcom County on September 14 due to increased fuel moisture and forecasted rain and cooler temperatures.

In its announcement on the fire ban ending, the fire marshal’s office urged people to still use extreme caution as vegetation was recovering from dry weather this summer.

The Blaine, Birch Bay and Cherry Point urban growth areas have a permanent ban on open burning.

Verbal burn permits are available through the outdoor burning information line, 360/778-5903, and written burn permits for fires larger than 4 feet by 4 feet are issued at the Whatcom County Planning and Development Services office, 5280 Northwest Drive.

Separate rules and permit requirements are in force in Point Roberts.

Outdoor burning regulations for land-clearing, recreational and residential fires are available on the fire marshal’s website at bit.ly/3XMnvkl.

People found in violation of burn ban restrictions may receive a $250 or higher fine, be held financially responsible for fire suppression costs and criminally charged for reckless burning.

For information, call the fire marshal’s office at 360/778-5900 or visit whatcomcounty.us/381/fire-marshal.