Whatcom County Burn Ban Restrictions Reduced
Whatcom County – Due to the increase in fuel moisture levels and recent rain, the Fire Marshal’s Office will lift the burn ban for outdoor burning. The burn ban will be lifted at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, September 27th, 2016 for the unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. At that time, verbal burn permits will be available via the Burn Information Line.Written burn permits for fires larger than 4’ X 4’ will be available at the Planning & Development Services Office.
For current outdoor burning information and verbal burn permits please call the Burn Information Line at (360) 778-5903. Requirements for all types of outdoor burning are available on our website at: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/381/Fire-Marshal.
A permanent ban on open burning remains in effect in the Cities of Bellingham, Lynden,Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Birch Bay, Kendall, the Cherry Point area, and their urban growth areas. For more information on the permanent burn ban you may contact the Northwest Clean Air Agency at (360) 428-1617 or check their website at www.nwcleanair.org.
If your property falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources, please call 1-800-323-BURN for burn permit information.
Please remember as the burn ban is lifted:
• All outdoor burning requires a permit in Whatcom County, with the exception of a recreational fire that meets specific conditions.
• Violations of these burn restrictions can result in a minimum $250.00 fine. In addition, if you have an illegal fire that escapes or needs to be extinguished by the fire department, you may be held financially responsible for fire suppression costs and may be criminally charged for Reckless Burning.
If you have any questions about open burning in Whatcom County that were not answered by the Burning Information Line, please contact the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 778-5900.
Contact: Fire Inspector Mitch Nolze
Date: September 26, 2016
For Immediate Release
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