Residential

  1. Fire Marshal Lifts Burn Ban at 4 p.m. September 27

    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 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 27 for the unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. Read on...
  2. Burn Ban lifted

    WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE Burn restrictions lifted in Whatcom County Read on...
  3. Fire Marshal Burn Ban Reduction Press Release

    Due to the increase in fuel moisture levels, recreational fires will again be allowed in unincorporated Whatcom County effective 4PM Friday, September 15th, 2023. All other outdoor burning is still banned, including yard debris & land clearing fires! Read on...
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 Regulations


  • Fee: $60 (plus $1.80 Technology fee) per 7 day period
  • Up to 4 x 4-foot pile with verbal permit, call 360-778-5903.
  • Up to 10 x 10-foot pile with written permit, fill out our Burn Permit Application Form (PDF)
    • Submit an application or permit--email [email protected]. with your application materials and our staff will review and get back to you with instructions and questions
    • Bring application directly to: (NOT APPLICABLE DURING COVID-19 STAY HOME STAY HEALTHY ORDER)
      • 5280 NW Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226
  • 50 feet from structures, timber, and combustibles
  • Garden hose or (2) 5-gallon buckets at fire for 4-by-4-foot pile
  • Garden hose or 55-gallon with pump / hose at fire for 10-by-10-foot pile
  • Hand tools required onsite
  • Bare ground fire break required and 15 feet clear overhead
  • Daylight hours burning only
  • Must have landowner permission to light all fires