Whatcom coronavirus updates: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest closed to Sept. 30

National Forest closed through Sept. 30

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is temporarily closing trailheads, campgrounds and day-use areas to help slow the spread of COVID-19, officials said Friday, March 27.

The closures will last through Sept. 30 unless rescinded earlier, officials said in a news release.

The decision is based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Day-use areas include visitor centers, staging areas for off-highway vehicles, viewpoints, boat launches, interpretive sites and picnic areas, officials said. — Kie Relyea

North Cascades Highway clearing halted

Most highway maintenance work has been suspended, Washington state Department of Transportation officials said Thursday.

That means work on clearing snow from the North Cascades Highway will stop temporarily, WSDOT said in an emailed statement.

Only essential maintenance is being allowed during the statewide closure of all but essential businesses during a stay-home order meant to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

“This highway remains a valuable route for the movement of goods and as an alternative evacuation route in the case of natural disaster,” the WSDOT statement said.

Officially called state Highway 20, the North Cascades Highway connects Skagit County in Western Washington with the Methow Valley in Eastern Washington.

It closes every winter near milepost 177 west of Winthrop and near milepost 130 east of Diablo because of avalanche danger.

Clearing efforts started Monday, March 23.

No date has been set for a return to work. — Robert Mittendorf

Humane Society remains open

All three shelter facilities of the Whatcom Humane Society — domestic animals, wildlife rehabilitation and farm — are continuing to provide essential care and services to animals during Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Health” order, director Laura Clark told The Bellingham Herald in an email.

Humane Society staff also is providing foster care homes for many of the domestic animals, Clark reported, allowing that shelter to have more room for future arrivals. Clark wrote that the shelter does not need any additional foster homes at this time.

“Our pet food bank seems to be the most used service we are still offering right now, as many people are in need of extra food for their companion animals to help them get through these challenging times,” Clark wrote.

The Humane Society is substantially limiting public access to its Division Street facility for the next several weeks, according to the Whatcom Humane Society website. The Humane Society asks people to ring the doorbell if they need staff assistance for a lost pet, finding a domestic or wild animal, need to surrender a pet to the facility, have a previously scheduled appointment, have animal control business or need to utilize the pet food bank program.

If you are interested in adopting an animal, the shelter asks you visit the adoption page and view the animals currently available, download an adoption application, complete it and email it to adoptions@whatcomhumane.org. Staff will review applications and respond as resources allow. — David Rasbach

Tulip Festival closes operations

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival announced on its website that, in accordance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, growers have closed their operations and fields to the public. The Tulip Festival usually runs through the month of April.

“We strongly encourage you to follow the governor’s directive to stay home and stay healthy for everyone involved,” the festival release read.

Most of the festival events had already rescheduled or canceled, the release said, and the downtown Mount Vernon office is closed while staff works remotely. — David Rasbach

Government meetings online

Bellingham City Council will conduct city business online using a meeting app, to comply with “social distancing” requirements in response to the new coronavirus pandemic.

Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood issued a proclamation of local emergency on March 12, and many city offices were closed to the public.

A decision to conduct only essential business at City Council meetings was also made March 12.

Watch Bellingham City Council meetings live at BTV or streaming them live and at any time at https://meetings.cob.org. Contact council members at 360-778-8200 or ccmail@cob.org. Contact the mayor’s office at 360-778-8100 or mayorsoffice@cob.org.

Members of the Whatcom County Council continue to meet online, and started meeting via teleconference on March 17. They also are discussing only essential business.

Watch County Council meetings online at https://whatcom.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Contact the County Council at 360-778-5010 or council@co.whatcom.wa.us. County the County Executive’s Office at 360-778-5200 or ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us.

— Robert Mittendorf

Transit hours reduced

Whatcom Transportation Authority buses and paratransit vans will reduce their operating hours next week in response to ridership changes caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, March 30, WTA will switch to Saturday level of service Monday through Friday, and its Sunday level of service on Saturdays and Sundays.

Weekday service will begin later — in the 8 a.m. hour for most routes and for paratransit. “We know that lower levels of service could present a hardship for some. However, to keep transit running for the duration of this emergency, this is necessary step, “ WTA General Manager Pete Stark said in an emailed statement.

Fares are waived during the coronavirus emergency. Passengers should board and exit buses at the rear door and maintain the recommended 6-foot social distancing while riding.

Bus agency officials urge riders to use the bus only for essential trips, such as shopping for groceries or prescriptions, or to keep medical appointments.

WTA’s Zone Service, which provides limited dial-a-ride service to rural communities one or two days per week, will not be reduced.

Riders with questions can call 360-676-7433. — Robert Mittendorf

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 1:11 PM.