As threat of wildfires grows, Park Service issues campfire ban in some parts of Whatcom Co.

UPDATE (4 p.m. July 10): Washington issues statewide burn ban amid record heat wave

Editor’s note: Shortly after this article published a statewide burn ban was issued. Below is the original story.

The National Park Service has issued a burn ban for campfires, fire pits and barbecue grills in North Cascades National Park and the Ross Lake National Recreation Area that comes into effect Friday, July 12.

The ban is to reduce the risk of wildfires during the drought-like conditions facing the area this summer, according to the North Cascades National Park Service. People are also encouraged to be careful when smoking and to avoid discarding their cigarette butts.

Setting off fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices on federal land is always prohibited.

The ban also affects the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area in Chelan County.

This story was originally published July 10, 2024 at 12:44 PM.

Jack Belcher

The Bellingham Herald

360-715-2206

Jack Belcher covers transportation and recreation for The Bellingham Herald. He graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in digital journalism in 2020 and joined the staff in September 2022. Belcher resides in Bellingham.