Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County

Whatcom County Hazard Mitigation Plan update survey

We will be keeping the Hazard Mitigation Plan survey up indefinitely, but only including comments made by July 1 for this update. The public is encouraged to provide input and feedback through the survey.

Active Incidents

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management (DEM) Emergency Operations Center is not activated. Make sure you are signed up for alerts, see WhatcomReady to sign up.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings

There is a heat advisory for the lowlands and foothills and valleys of Whatcom County from 10 7/21/26 through 11 pm 7/22/26. See here for more information.

There is an air quality alert for Whatcom County through 9 am 7/22/26. See here for more information. 

DNR fire danger level for the lowlands is at High, with the Cascades at Moderate to High. See here for more information. 

Whatcom County Outdoor Burning: As of 0800 July 17, a Stage 2 burn ban will to into place until further notice. All open burning is prohibited.

WA Dept. of Ecology has declared a drought  as of April 8, 2026 that includes Whatcom County. See here for more information. The U.S. Drought Monitor does not have Whatcom County in a drought. See here for more information.

Whatcom County Inland Weather

Coastal Weather

High pressure will remain centered well inland through midweek as a thermally induced trough builds along the Pacific coastline. Stronger onshore flow and pushes down the strait look to resume in the latter half of the week as the thermal trough shifts eastward.

For the Strait and Inland Coastal waters of Whatcom County today we will have light and variable winds, becoming west at around 5 knots late this morning and afternoon. Wind waves around 2 feet or less. Moving into the evening, winds will be from the south at around 5 knots, becoming light and variable. Wind waves around 2 feet or less. Tomorrow winds will be light and variable, becoming northwest around 5 knots in the afternoon. Wind waves  around 2 feet or less. For look at real time coastal weather and tides you can link here to the Cherry Point NOAA Tide Station.

Air Quality

Air quality this morning is in the moderate to unhealthy for sensitive individuals, with an air quality alert put out by the National Weather Service. Visit the Whatcom County Health and Community Services Wildfire Smoke for up-to-date information and air quality.

Emergency Management Tips and Reminders

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Activities

CERT classes are ongoing. See here to sign up for a class and more information.

Events we are participating in

Preparedness Tips

Wildland Fire Tips 

Learn the Fire Evacuation Levels

Level 1: Ready

 A level one threat means it is time to prepare to evacuate. Review your emergency plan and evacuation routes, including plans for pets or livestock. Ensure your Go-Kit is packed and ready. Follow local               news on TV, radio or social media.

 Level 2: Get Set

A level two threat means the emergency is less predicable and you need to be ready to leave at any moment. If you have young children or vulnerable dependents you should leave now so you have time to evacuate safely. Keep monitoring the news for updates.

Level 3: Go

A level 3 alert means there is immediate, extreme danger in your area. Evacuate immediately.

 Be aware during critical fire weather Puget Sound Energy may, as a last resort mitigation tool, proactively de-energize specific powerlines to reduce the risk of electrical system ignition of wildfires. More information can be found here on PSE’s Wildfire Prevention.

Wildfire is a cause of concern for us all in the Evergreen State. While wildfire has historically played a crucial role in Washington's forest ecology, climate change and other factors have led to longer, more destructive fire seasons, which threaten communities throughout the state's diverse landscape. But there are a number of steps landowners can take to protect their property -- and their neighbors'.

Every year across our nation, some homes survive - while many others do not - after a major wildfire. Those that survive almost always do so because their owners had prepared for the eventuality of fire, which is an inescapable force of nature in fire-prone wildland areas.

DNR's Wildfire Ready Neighbors program and Community Resilience team and the Whatcom Conservation District are here to help you make your property more resistant to the growing danger of wildfire statewide. Go to WildfireReady.com or Whatcom Conservation District to sign up for a free action plan and home wildfire assessment.

You may also visit the National Fire Protection Association’s Preparing Homes for Wildfire website for additional information.

Farmers can visit the WA Dept of Agriculture website for agriculture and livestock and large animal information on wildfire preparedness. 

Tips For Home Landscaping In Dry Conditions

• Work in the mornings or late evenings to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and postpone your work when the weather calls for low humidity or high wind
• Keep a water hose or bucket or fire extinguisher on hand
• Use a nylon or plastic weed whacker line instead of metal
• Be careful not to set a hot tool down on dry grass or leaves
• Allow power engines to cool before refueling, and make sure the hot exhaust is kept away from dry grasses, weeds, and shrubs - only use such equipment that’s in good repair and has spark arresters installed. when applicable
• Stay home for an hour after finishing your work - this way you’ll be around to notice if anything begins to smolder and smoke
• If conditions are right for outdoor burning, keep your debris piles small and have a hose ready should your fire escape

Campfire Safety

If your fire escapes, you will be responsible for paying for fire suppression personnel and equipment, as required by state law. 

• Campfires are allowed only when a campfire burn restriction is not in place
• Campfires are permitted on DNR-managed lands only in approved fire pits 
• Ensure there is a shovel and buckets of water close by
• Never walk away from a smoldering campfire.
• Put the fire out cold before leaving - if it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave

 Additional Prevention Tips

• Be sure recreation vehicles have operating spark arrestors
• Do not park vehicles in dry, grassy areas as residual heat from exhaust systems can ignite the dry grass
• Know the current wildfire risk in your county, destination, or area you may be working in 
• Note: It's always illegal to light fireworks or use incendiary ammunition or exploding targets on DNR-protected lands
• Learn more from our friend Smokey Bear

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