Two lightning-caused wildfires have burned nearly 3,900 acres near Ross Lake in eastern Whatcom County as a dangerous fire weather warning hits the region.
WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Two lightning-caused wildfires have burned nearly 3,900 acres in eastern Whatcom County as officials warn that exceptionally dangerous fire weather could fuel new and existing fires across the Pacific Northwest this weekend.
The Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group issued the warning Friday, July 31. The National Weather Service has placed portions of central and eastern Washington and Oregon under a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning for Saturday afternoon and evening.
“A PDS Red Flag Warning is not routine, it signals a rare, exceptionally dangerous fire-weather event requiring immediate public attention and action.”
Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group
Border 2 Fire Reaches 3,500 Acres
The Border 2 Fire has grown to an estimated 3,500 acres near Ross Lake and the U.S.-Canada border, according to a Friday update from North Cascades National Park.
Fire crews continued protecting structures in the Hozomeen area. Meanwhile, managers remained in close contact with the British Columbia Wildfire Service as the fire burned along the international border.
Four water-scooping aircraft and an air attack plane supported firefighters when smoke and weather allowed. A heavy smoke inversion reduced fire activity late Thursday after the fire remained active through much of the day.
The park has closed the Hozomeen area and Ross Lake north of Silver Creek Camp. Several trails, campgrounds, boat-in camps and docks also remain closed.
Luna Fire Burns West of Ross Lake
The Luna Fire has burned approximately 392 acres west of Ross Lake. Hot and dry weather increased fire activity this week, according to park officials.
The fire remains north of McMillan Creek and west of Big Beaver Creek. Two Type 3 helicopters continue supporting suppression operations in the steep and remote terrain.
The fire started in rocky terrain southwest of Luna Camp along the Big Beaver Trail. Officials attributed both the Luna and Border 2 fires to lightning.
Closures include part of the Big Beaver Trail, Luna Camp, Beaver Pass camps and the Luna and Prophet cross-country zones.
Whatcom County Air Quality Remains Mostly Good
Smoke may affect the Ross Lake area, and conditions can change quickly. However, Whatcom County Emergency Management reported good air quality across most of the county Friday morning.
The county’s emergency operations center has not activated for the Ross Lake fires. Officials also said no weather advisories, watches or warnings currently cover Whatcom County.
A Stage 2 burn ban remains in effect countywide. The ban prohibits all open burning until further notice.
Residents can follow current smoke and air-quality conditions through Whatcom County Health and Community Services or the federal Fire and Smoke Map.
Dangerous Conditions Expected Elsewhere
The Particularly Dangerous Situation warning does not include Whatcom County. It covers portions of central and eastern Washington and Oregon, where strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation could create extreme fire behavior.
State officials also mobilized firefighting resources Wednesday for the Sinlahekin Fire near Loomis in Okanogan County. At that time, the fire had burned an estimated 9,000 acres and threatened homes and infrastructure. Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices were in effect.
Officials urged residents and travelers to monitor emergency alerts, obey land-use restrictions and avoid any activity that could start a fire.
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