Bellingham Scoop: Today is 4/20, and Wildfire Season Prep Starts Now

Happy Monday, Bellingham. It is April 20 and we have a beautiful one on tap. Before you head out the door, here is what you need to know to start the week right.

Today's Weather: Partly sunny with a high near 70. Calm wind picking up from the west around 5 mph this afternoon. A great Monday to get outside before rain returns Tuesday. Full forecast at NWS.

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Monday Morning at Lake Whatcom: Worth a Pause

With near-70 temperatures on the way today, Lake Whatcom is putting on a show. Bellingham Experience shared a stunning reflection shot taken this morning by photographer Anneliese Cousineau. If you have not made it out to the lake recently, today might be the day.

Lake Whatcom is Bellingham's drinking water reservoir and one of the most scenic spots in Whatcom County. The main public access is at Bloedel Donovan Park, off Electric Avenue. You can also reach quieter spots via the interurban trail. See the full photo here.

Fire Safety

Bellingham Fire Wants You to Clear Your Yard Before Wildfire Season Arrives

Spring cleaning gets a practical application this week. The Bellingham Fire Department is reminding residents to clear dry leaves, dead vegetation, and accumulated debris from around their homes as wildfire risk begins climbing across Western Washington. The warmer and drier it gets, the more that accumulated yard debris becomes a problem.

The concept is called defensible space, and it is straightforward. Zone 1 covers the 0-to-30-foot perimeter around your home: rake dry leaves, remove dead plants, and clear combustible materials stored against the structure. Zone 2 extends from 30 to 100 feet and focuses on reducing fuel load by spacing out vegetation and removing plants that could carry a ground fire up into the canopy.

The Whatcom Conservation District offers free, nonregulatory home risk assessments for county landowners and has helped eight Whatcom neighborhoods achieve Firewise designation. The Washington DNR Wildfire Ready program also offers property-specific risk assessments by address.

Start with the 5 feet around your foundation: clear dry leaves from gutters and move wood piles and propane tanks away from the house. Western Washington fire risk has shifted, and a little prep now makes a real difference. Read the full story.

Upcoming Event

Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend Returns to Fairhaven Next Weekend with a New Case

Mark your calendar for next weekend. Historic Fairhaven Village hosts its annual Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend on April 25 and 26, with a fresh storyline written by Cryptid Escapes. This year's case is called "The Phantom Peril of Professor Pristine," and participants will spend the weekend collecting clue cards, interacting with actor-suspects, and ultimately making their accusation to try to crack the case.

The event runs Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 standard, $40 VIP, and $20 for youth. Clues span 20+ businesses across the village, including Village Books, the Colophon Cafe, Avenue Bread, and The Archer Ale House. Title sponsor is Village Books and Paper Dreams.

Parking is available at the Village Green lot off Harris Avenue and along side streets. If Fairhaven gets crowded, the bus route along Harris Avenue is a solid option. Tickets and full event details at enjoyfairhaven.com.

Sunday: Civic Deep Dive

What's Coming Up at Whatcom County: Council, Permits, and Public Comment

Sunday is a good time to check in on what is moving through Whatcom County's civic machinery before the week starts. The Whatcom County Council holds regular Tuesday meetings at the County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, at 10 a.m. The Bellingham City Council meets Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 210 Lottie Street. Agendas and public comment sign-up for both are online at whatcomcounty.us and meetings.cob.org.

For those tracking development in the county, the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) notices and permit filings are searchable through the Whatcom County Development Review portal. New commercial listings, building permits, and SEPA notices are updated regularly and give a real-time picture of what is being built or proposed across the county. Worth bookmarking if you like knowing what is coming to your neighborhood before the sign goes up.

Liquor license applications in Whatcom County are tracked by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and are publicly searchable by city or county at lcb.wa.gov. New restaurant and bar applications in Bellingham typically appear a few weeks before a location opens.

The Upcoming Week

What's Coming Up in Bellingham & Whatcom County

Sponsored

Spring Is the Perfect Time for a Fresh Start

Spring cleaning is not a myth. With warmer days arriving and windows finally open, there is no better time to reset your home. Cascade Home Cleaning is here to help Bellingham families start the season right.

This week only: New recurring clients get 25% off their first deep clean. It is a real clean, not a surface pass. Book by end of the week to lock in the offer.

Local, reliable, and already trusted by neighbors across Whatcom County. Book your spot at cascadehomecleaning.com.