These Daily Briefings on Incidents, Advisories, Watches and Warnings, current weather and Emergency Management tips are published Monday through Friday, as well as during times of increased awareness or actual events.

Active Incidents

Due to the warm weather conditions ahead and decreasing fuel moisture levels, the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office will be enacting restrictions on open burning in unincorporated Whatcom County effective July 27, 2020 until further notice. For more information on the countywide burn ban, please refer to this press release.

Effective July 28, 2020, outdoor burning, the use of charcoal briquettes, and prescribed burns are banned on all forest lands within the State of Washington under Department of Natural Resources fire protection through September 30, 2020. This ban applies to all forested parcels being assessed for DNR fire protection, in or out of fire districts. This date may be extended or shortened based upon ongoing fire conditions. For more information on the statewide burn ban, please refer to this commissioner’s order.

The U.S. and Canada have for a third time extended an order closing their shared border to nonessential traffic. The move delays the border’s reopening by another 30 days, until at least August 21, 2020. This includes both vehicular traffic as well as recreational boating between the countries.

The “Proclamation of Emergency” signed by the Whatcom County Executive concerning COVID-19 remains in effect. Information about Whatcom County’s response to COVID-19 is available at the Joint Information Center’s COVID-19 website. 

Whatcom County is in Phase 2 of the Washington Safe Start Plan, and does not yet meet eligibility requirements to apply for Phase 3. Simplistically, social distancing, the mask directive and groups of 5 or less are the guidelines of Phase 2. More info about Phase 2 in Whatcom County can be found here, and updates can be found here.

Washington state has implemented a cloth mask mandate requiring the wearing of a mask in public indoors and wherever a social distance of six feet cannot be maintained outdoors. More info can be found here and here.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings: 

There is a small craft advisory in effect from now until 0500 Thursday.

Whatcom County Weather

It will be dry through today. Clouds will increase tonight and light rain arrives late overnight into Thursday morning. Rain remains fairly steady through the morning hours before breaking up into just a few spotty showers around midday, which will persist on and off through the afternoon, although there will start to be a lot more dry time mixed in.

Coastal Weather for Whatcom County

For the Coastal and Inland waters of Whatcom County, we can expect westerly wind to 10 knots. Wind waves should be 1 foot or less. Tonight, the winds should shift southerly 10 to 20 knots with wind waves 1 to 3 feet.

Tides at Cherry Point for the next two days:

Here are a few emergency management reminders:

COVID-19: Everyone in Washington State, including Whatcom County, is directed to wear a face covering while at any indoor public space and any outdoor public space where you may be within 6 feet of someone who does not live with you. You can find more info about face coverings and other protective actions here and here.

Wildfire Preparation Tips: As we enter wildfire season, we recommend you create an emergency escape plan. Call us at 360-778-7160 to learn what the evacuation plan is for your area. Discuss this evacuation route with everyone in your family. Ensure family members who live nearby know the route and have means of transportation. Also, stay informed by signing up for emergency text and alert messages from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Alert link on the county website. Finally, don’t forget to create an emergency kit.

"Procrastination is the foundation of all disasters."  - Pandora Poikilo

Be Prepared and Stay Safe!

This briefing line is not updated on weekends unless an incident occurs.