Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
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. More information can be gotten through the North Cascades National Park Service.
Advisories, Watches and Warnings
There currently are no advisories, watches or warnings in Whatcom County.
DNR fire danger level for the lowlands is at Moderate, with the Cascades at Moderate . See here for more information.
Whatcom County Outdoor Burning: As of 8 am September 11, a Stage 1 burn ban is in place. This allows for recreational fires.
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 indicates most of Whatcom County is in moderate drought with just the far west portion still abnormally dry, The far east parts are in extreme drought. See here for more information.
Whatcom County Inland Weather
Dry weather continues through the forecast period with no significant weather concerns expected at this time. As the morning hours progress on Wednesday a threat for some patchy low clouds/fog lingering before the sun rises. Sunny skies and a breezy diurnal wind continues into Wednesday afternoon as temperatures reach into the 70s. Dry conditions continue through Wednesday night and into Thursday with a persistent pattern continuing into the daytime hours on Thursday as stable weather continues to build over the region.
Dry weather and a continued warming trend continue through the rest of the work week before cooling as we head into the weekend. As we reach the peak in the stable conditions a threat for a marine layer will be pushing into the region Friday night into Saturday bringing in low overcast skies and cooler temperatures. Overcast skies and fog likely develop each night before dissipating late morning to early afternoon each day. The next threat for any substantial precipitation is likely to arrive Wednesday afternoon/evening of next week, still quite a bit of uncertainty at this point in time.
Coastal Weather
Thermally induced low pressure will expand northward along the coast, leading to a northerly or offshore flow pattern into Thursday. Onshore flow will return Friday into the weekend as a series of systems pass well north of the area.
For the Strait and Inland Coastal waters of Whatcom County today we will have northwest winds at around 5 knots, rising to 5-10 knots this afternoon. Wind waves around 2 feet or less. Moving into the evening, winds will be from the northwest at 5-10 knots. Wind waves around 2 feet or less. Tomorrow winds will be from the northwest at 5-10 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 is good this morning. 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.
Preparedness Tips
National Emergency Preparedness Tips
Please visit our WhatcomReady Facebook page.
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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