Effective immediately, September 9th, 2020, all open burning is prohibited in unincorporated Whatcom County until further notice. This ban is in conjunction with statewide outdoor burning restrictions enacted by DNR for all state-protected lands. And NWCAA’s air quality burn ban.

All outdoor burning is prohibited during this ban, including yard debris fires, land clearing fires, and recreational fires.

Propane fire pits without solid wood burning material will still be allowed, along with propane and charcoal BBQs. Care should be used in the disposal of any used charcoal and ashes. Charcoal and ash should be discarded of in a metal container and dowsed with water. The container should be kept 10 feet from any structures or trees for 72 hours. Wood burning fire pits or similar enclosures with grates are NOT considered barbecues and not allowed.

If you live within a tribal or city boundary, contact the fire agency in your jurisdiction for specific restrictions in those areas. Also, contact any campgrounds you plan on visiting, as well as DNR, to learn about restrictions in those areas.

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 and criminally responsible.

These outdoor burning restrictions may be reduced as weather and fire danger dictates.

If you have any questions on open burning in Whatcom County, please contact the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-778-5900 or listen to current burn ban information on the Whatcom County Burn Information Line at 360-778-5903.