The next few days look to have mild weather, with increasing likelihood for stormier weather beginning over the weekend. September is National Emergency Preparedness month. See below how to take a few minutes to get yourself prepared!
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 this week it was 6,369 acres and 25% contained. More information on what trails and campgrounds are open 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.
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 reduced the burn ban allowing for recreational fires again, effective Friday, September 15 at 4 pm. 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
All showers end Wednesday morning (points east), then clearing skies in the afternoon. Clear and cool Wednesday night with patchy fog in prone areas (near water sources in particular). Mostly clear skies continue Thursday and Friday with milder afternoons ahead, but still cool nights.
A new weather system from the Pacific will increase clouds Saturday with a few showers possible late day and evening hours. Looks like we get into a wetter, more active weather pattern Sunday into early next week, but lots of details still yet to be ironed out.
Whatcom County Coastal Weather
For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County today the wind will come from the northwest at 10-20 knots becoming 5-15 knots in the afternoon. Wind waves 1-3 feet. Moving into the evening, winds will come from the northwest up to 10 knots. Wind waves 1-2 feet. Tomorrow winds come from the north up to 10 knots becoming northwest in the afternoon. Wind waves 1-2 feet. 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.