Active Incidents

The Sourdough Fire north of Diablo Lake started on Saturday, July 29. It is currently burning in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, in very steep terrain. Air quality in the area is very bad in places, see here for local info. If you choose to travel in the area, please do not stop on the highway to take pictures or look at the fire. Do not fly drones in the area, as this will ground the helicopter and air tankers working on the fire. As of last week it was 6,234 acres and 25% contained. More information can be found here and here.

Hwy 20 is open. This remains an active fire area and the road is subject to closing again with little notice based on fire behavior, fire mitigation strategies or weather. Travelers along SR 20 are advised they may encounter firefighting personnel and apparatus along the highway and are discouraged from stopping along this stretch of highway. Traffic control is in place for the safety of the traveling public and should be observed.    

Road closure information is posted in the WSDOT real-time travel center and @wsdot_north and @wsdot_east on X/Twitter and updates will be provided as available. Details about recreation in this area including trail, area and camp closures are available on the North Cascades National Park Service complex website and the U.S. Forest Service alerts website. 

Lake Whatcom Fire -The evacuation notice has been removed for Blue Canyon Rd residents and Blue Canyon Rd remains closed to non-fire or non-resident traffic. The South Lake Whatcom boat launch and Lake Whatcom are open to boat traffic.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings

July 24 a drought emergency was declared by WA State Dept of Ecology for Whatcom County.

Whatcom County Fire Marshal has initiated a Stage 2 Burn Ban effective 1600 Wednesday, August 16. See here for more information.

A subject of note here is the Mt Baker Hwy closure which is affecting a large area of the county. Please visit the Whatcom County Public Works Road Closures and Restrictions page for more information.

Weather Around Whatcom County

Whatcom County Inland Weather

Dry and quiet weather will continue through the forecast period with no notable weather concerns expected.

Similar to previous days, we'll see some low cloud cover and fog developing during the late overnight hours, then clearing as the morning progresses to mostly clear skies by the afternoon. Otherwise, we'll see temperatures still running a degree or two below average on Friday, then rising back above average on Saturday.

Dry weather will remain in place through the start on Sunday until a weakening system starts to push into the region. By the evening, a few light rain showers will start to push through the area, but any shower activity looks to remain relatively light. A few light rain showers will persist into the day on Monday before we start to see conditions dry out in the evening. From there, an extended stretch of dry weather looks to hold through much of next week with temperatures remaining close to average for this time of year.

Whatcom County Coastal Weather

For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County today light wind will become from the southeast to 10 knots becoming west in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 foot or less. Moving into the evening, winds will come from the west to 10 knots becoming east after midnight. Wind waves 1 foot or less. Tomorrow winds come from the northwest up to 10 knots. Wind waves 1 foot or less. For a look at real-time coastal weather and tides you can link here to the Cherry Point NOAA Tide Station.

Air Quality

Visit the Whatcom County Health Department's Wildfire Smoke for up-to-date information and air quality.

Emergency Management Tips and Reminders

CERT Activities

No planned activities for CERT at this time.

Emergency Preparedness

Visit our newly revamped website at WhatcomReady.org

The Emergency Management Daily Briefing is produced Monday - Friday unless an update is required for an incident or event over a weekend or during holidays.