BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Wildfire smoke made its way into western Whatcom County over the weekend.

County health officials say that winds brought smoke from the North Cascades fires into our area on Sunday, August 20th, with the smoke expected to linger through the rest of the week.

Monitoring website IQ Air is also forecasting “unhealthy for sensitive groups” air quality days from Friday, August 25th, through this coming weekend.

Areas north, including Everson and Sumas, are seeing “unhealthy” air quality levels for all groups today, with similar levels expected starting Friday.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services is advising people to shut windows and doors once air quality deteriorates.

N95 masks are recommended if you plan on being outside for an extended period of time.

And that air quality warning has prompted the Northwest Clean Air Agency to issue a Stage 2 air quality burn ban.

The ban took effect Saturday, August 19th, for Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties.

The Clean Air Agency says it will continue into Monday, August 21st, at least.

No outdoor burning is allowed, including residential and agricultural burning.

Home heating with fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves is also prohibited.

This ban is separate from, and in addition to, the existing fire safety burn bans issued last week.