There’s a fire in the Samish hills. What should you do?
A highly visible fire burning in the hills east of Lake Samish is a controlled burn and emergency dispatchers are aware of it, the What-Comm 911 center said on social media.
“What-Comm has received many calls related to a Department of Natural Resources controlled burn occurring on a hill east of Interstate 5 in the Lake Samish area. The fire is highly visible from the freeway. We are aware and appreciate the community’s vigilance,” What-Comm officials said late Wednesday, Dec. 28.
Such controlled burns and other fires are allowed in the fall and winter when the threat of wildfires is low, according to previous Bellingham Herald reporting.
Before they call 911 this time of year, officials ask people to check the state Department of Natural Resources website for a “permitted burn,” one that’s intentionally set to clear logging slash or make a forest less likely to burn in summer, when it’s hot and dry.
