Lake McMurray Fire Department (SCFD #15)

08/10/2026

🔥BURN BAN UPDATE🔥

Due to the continued risk of fire and the commitment of shared firefighting resources to ongoing wildland fire response efforts across Washington State, the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office is implementing a complete burn ban effective Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.

The burn ban prohibits all outdoor open burning in unincorporated Skagit County. The only exception is agricultural burning, which may continue only when conducted in accordance with applicable state and local regulations and any required permits.

Propane fire tables and other gas-fueled cooking appliances are permitted during this ban. Self-contained wood pellet grills and cooking devices are allowed only when placed on a concrete or other non-combustible surface. Charcoal grills are permitted. Charcoal and ash must be disposed of in a metal container and thoroughly soaked with water. The container should be kept at least ten feet from vegetation or combustible materials for 72 hours.

If you are within the limits of an incorporated city or town, check with your fire department for current burning restrictions.

If you have questions about open burning in Skagit County, please contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 416-1840 or our Outdoor Burning website at www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/FireMarshal/burning

08/10/2026

Burn Ban updated to FULL!

08/07/2026

07/22/2026

☀️🌡️ Hot Weather Reminder 🌡️☀️

As temperatures climb into the high 80s tomorrow (Wednesday), take a few simple steps to stay safe in the heat:

💧 Drink plenty of water throughout the day—even if you don't feel thirsty.
🌳 Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
👕 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
🚗 Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle.
👵 Check in on older adults, neighbors, and anyone who may be more vulnerable to the heat.
🐾 Make sure your pets have plenty of fresh water and a cool place to rest.

Whether you're working, exercising, or enjoying time outdoors, be mindful of the heat and know the signs of heat-related illness.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and have a safe Wednesday! ☀️💙

07/17/2026

⚠️WSDOT UPDATE:⚠️
CONWAY: Nightly SR 534 alternating traffic starts Sunday, July 19, as paving project begins

We will reduce SR 534 to a single lane with eastbound and westbound traffic alternating Sunday night, July 19, as a paving project gets underway near Conway. We’ll grind down existing pavement along a 4.5 mile stretch of SR 534 east of I-5 and replace it with a new layer of asphalt to create a smoother ride and help extend the highway’s service life.

Beginning Sunday night, July 19, SR 534 will be reduced to a single lane from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. Provided the weather is dry enough, our crews plan to work nightly Sundays through Friday mornings the next few weeks. During the lane reductions, flaggers and pilot vehicles will alternate eastbound and westbound traffic through the area where crews are working. Please expect delays, slow down and watch for workers and machinery in the highway.

Once the paving finishes and the new asphalt has cured, we’ll will return in mid- to late August to install permanent lane makings and wrap up construction.

07/08/2026

⚠️Per WSDOT:
•Paving project to improve SR 534 begins work Wednesday, July 15, near Conway in Skagit County
July 07, 2026
•UPDATE: The start of the paving project on State Route 534 has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 15, due to equipment availability. The date has been updated in the headline and release below.

Plan ahead for delays; work expected to wrap up in late August
CONWAY – A paving project begins Wednesday, July 15, to create a smoother ride for travelers along a 4.5-mile stretch of State Route 534 between Conway and Lake McMurray.

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will grind down existing pavement, lay a fresh layer of asphalt and add new pavement markings along the rural highway in southern Skagit County. Construction is expected to finish in late August, but the work requires dry weather so rain could delay progress.

The project will repave SR 534 from the Interstate 5 interchange to a half mile west of the SR 9 intersection. The final stretch of SR 534 will be repaved as part of a future Complete Streets project aiming to create an accessible, comfortable and efficient system for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.

Most of SR 534 was last paved in 2003, and the pavement is due for rehabilitation. About 4,900 vehicles per day traveled SR 534 near I-5 in 2025.

•Plan ahead: What to expect
Most grinding and paving will be done at night beginning in late July and will finish in early August, provided the weather is dry enough. From 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Friday mornings, flaggers and pilot vehicles will alternate northbound and southbound traffic through work zones. People should expect delays on SR 534 during work hours.

The northbound I-5 on- and off-ramps at SR 534 also will close when crews are working near the interchange, but signed detours will get people where they are going. WSDOT will announce dates for lane and ramp closures on its online, real-time Travel Map and social media channels when they are scheduled. People also can sign up for Skagit County email updates on the WSDOT website.

After paving finishes and the asphalt cures, crews will return in late August to add permanent lane markings and wrap up construction. This work is being done by Lakeside Industries Inc., as part of $2.3 million contract.

07/03/2026

Happy Independence Day!
🎉♥️🇺🇸♥️🎉

Stay safe out there!

07/02/2026

07/02/2026