A fire safety burn ban in Whatcom County’s unincorporated areas will be lifted at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office announced on Tuesday.
With rain and cooler temperatures arriving, potential fuel has higher moisture levels, lowering the risk of fire.
All outdoor burning still requires a permit, except for legal recreational fires, according to the Fire Marshal’s Office. A permanent burn ban remains in place within city limits and urban growth areas for cities and towns in Whatcom County.
People wanting to secure outdoor burning permits can call the county’s Outdoor Burning Information Line at 360-778-5903. The Fire Marshal’s Office still encourages caution after the long, dry summer, and violating the outdoor burning restrictions can lead to fines of up to $250.
The fire safety burn ban restricting outdoor burning has been in effect since July 16. The Northwest Clean Air Agency announced burn bans for Columbia Valley and Whatcom County in mid-October due to unhealthy air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke. Those air quality burn bans ended Oct. 21.
