WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Hot and dry conditions have fire officials warning Whatcom County residents to be extra careful outdoors.

The county Fire Marshal’s Office has upgraded the fire danger level in our area to “very high.”

That means fires can start easily from most causes, including small sparks or heat sources. They can also spread very quickly, especially on windy or dry days.

The conditions make it harder for fire crews to contain a fire if it breaks out, and they can become large, fast-moving and dangerous in a short amount of time.

The lowlands of western Whatcom and Skagit counties remain under a heat advisory through 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17.