Thursday, August 13, 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.

We are aware of the fires in the far east part of the county around Ross Lake, but have no involvement in response activities. We are in contact with the incident management teams on the Luna and Ptarmigan Fires. More information can be gotten through the North Cascades National Park Service.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings

Updated 11:30 am 8/13/26: There is a red flag warning for the eastern part of Whatcom County above 1,500 feet 12 noon until 9 pm 8/13/26 and a fire weather watch 12 noon through 9 pm 8/14/26. See here for more information. 

DNR fire danger level for the lowlands is at Very High, with the Cascades at Very 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 offshore and lower pressure inland will keep the pattern onshore through the week. Expect the higher pressure to move south this weekend with pressure gradients weakening. Diurnal pushes of west winds through the Strait of Juan de Fuca will continue.

For the Strait and Inland Coastal waters of Whatcom County today we will have south winds at around 5 knots, veering to southwest this afternoon. Wind waves around 2 feet or less. Moving into the evening, winds will be from the south at around 5 knots. Wind waves around 2 feet or less. Tomorrow, winds will be from the south at around 5 knots. 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 goes from good to very unhealthy west to east in the county. 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

Summer Water Safety Tips

Washington waters are often cold enough to cause muscles to not work. Even when the outside temperatures are high, water temperatures can be cold enough to overwhelm even the strongest swimmer.

If you plan to be in or near water this summer, follow these recommendations:

Learn to swim, including water safety and survival skills — To enjoy the water safely, learn swim strokes, water safety, survival skills, and becoming comfortable in the water.

Wear a life jacket — Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket when boating, tubing, rafting, swimming or other activities in or on lakes, rivers, salt water, or pools without a lifeguard. Life jacket information for children and teens.

Swim where there is a lifeguard — Swim in areas with lifeguards when possible. Wear a life jacket while swimming in unguarded waters or until the guards start their service.

Supervise children in or near water — Always provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water. Stay within touching distance of young children at all times.

Do not use alcohol or drugs during water activities — Never use alcohol or other impairing drugs during water and boating activities or while supervising children around the water. Alcohol affects balance, coordination, and judgement. Exposure to sun and heat worsen these effects.

Know what to do in an emergency — Learn first aid and CPR. Seconds count—the more quickly lifesaving CPR is started, the better the chances of recovery. Bring a cell phone or know where to find the nearest phone. Dial 911 in an emergency. Learn safe ways to rescue others without putting yourself in danger (reach for them, throw something to them, don’t go into the water after them). If you are in trouble: flip, float, relax (like a starfish).

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.

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