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.  As of this week it was 7,377 acres and 25% contained. Fire behavior increased last weekend with the unseasonably hot, dry, and unstable conditions. The fire grew approximately 1,000 acres, mostly in the Stetattle Creek drainage. Firefighters utilized aerial delivered water resources extensively for suppression efforts in the Sourdough Creek area which successfully kept fire west of the drainage. 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 removed the burn ban effective Wednesday, September 27 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

Showers Monday morning, increasing to steadier rain early.  Periods of rain afterward, breaking back into showers by early afternoon.  The showers will end late afternoon with patchy mist/drizzle possible afterward.  Winds will increase to a breeze on Monday with gusts to 20 mph.

Patchy mist/drizzle at times through Monday night, with winds becoming very light.  The mist/drizzle will continue on into Tuesday morning, tapering off by mid-morning.  The rest of the day should just be dry and mostly cloudy.  Winds remain generally light.

Some more mist/drizzle will be possible Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.  But the rest of the workweek will just be dry, with Saturday staying dry as well.  The next chances for rain should hold off until at least Sunday.  Temperatures will steadily increase through Saturday, then cooling down again on Sunday.  Winds remain generally light.

Whatcom County Coastal Weather

For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County today the wind will come from the southeast at 5-15 knots. Wind waves 2 feet or less. Rain in the morning, then rain likely in the afternoon. Moving into the evening, winds will come from the southeast to 10 knots becoming northwest after midnight. Wind waves 1 foot or less. A chance of rain in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Tomorrow winds come from the northwest to 10 knots. Wind waves 1 foot or less. A slight chance of showers. 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.

Earthquake Preparedness

Visit the Great Washington Shakeout website at Washington Shakeout

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.