WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Don’t be alarmed if you see smoke in rural areas of Whatcom County this week.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is conducting prescribed burns in various parts of the county.

Whatcom Fire District 14 says one of those is taking place near Deming in the mountains off Mosquito Lake Road.

Another burn that’s still pending approval is expected to take place between Skookum and Fish creeks near the Twin Sisters Mountain.

Prescribed burns are used to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk by clearing out vegetation that can act as fuel.

The National Park Service previously announced they’ll be conducting prescribed burns throughout Lake Chelan and Ross Lake areas through the end of November.