BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Lightning is believed to have started a wildfire on the southern end of Lake Whatcom and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says that a Level 2 evacuation order is now in effect for residents along Blue Canyon Road.

That means residents there should “Get Ready to Leave.”

The fire started around 5:30 pm on Monday, August 28th, in a remote area on the southeast side of the lake.

Department of Natural Resources officials say that the fire is burning on a steep surface and initially said it did not pose any danger to nearby structures.

They also believe lightning from last night’s storms caused a second small fire to burn near Sumas.

The Sheriff’s Office says DNR crews will start scooping water out the Lake Whatcom to fight the fire.

All boat launches to the lake are now closed and boat traffic on the lake is not allowed.

And Whatcom County Parks and Recreation has closed the Hertz Trail along Lake Whatcom and are asking patrons to avoid the area.

For more info call the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management 360-676-6681.