||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for SJC DEPT. OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT |||
Island forests in late summer tell a familiar story: browning maple leaves, dry madrona litter underfoot, and brittle moss. Even with a bit of rain in the forecast, these are the weeks when wildfire risk in San Juan County is at its annual peak. Avoiding activities that could spark a fire is the most important way to keep the islands safe—but it’s equally critical to report any possible fire to 911 immediately. When crews respond to wildland fires, minutes matter.
Thankfully, local responders now have a powerful new detection tool. Since 2023, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has supported a project to rapidly identify wildfire starts across the state. Twentysix remote monitoring stations (with ten more coming) using Pano high-powered cameras to scan for signs of fire around the clock during the summer.
While several mainland cameras can spot fires in the islands, the unit on Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island has proven especially valuable. When the system detects and geolocates a possible fire, human analysts verify, and if confirmed, send an alert to local responders with a link to live imagery and location data.
Orcas Island Fire Chief and former San Juan County Fire Marshal Chad Kimple says the system fills critical gaps: “Nothing replaces people calling 911 to report a fire, but this is a great addition to our toolkit. Fire crews can visualize the smoke before arrival, which aids in building an action plan.”
On July 13, a fire broke out on Lopez Island near Shark Reef. As the first 911 call was being made, the Pano system simultaneously alerted responders.
Lopez Island Fire Chief Adam Bigby noted the benefits: “Initial calls to 911 don’t always have all the information we’d like—location, size, or access. This tool gives us an extra layer of detail so we can find the fire more quickly and understand the scale of the incident before we’re even on scene.”
Screenshots from the Lopez fire are available: view the fire ten minutes after the initial alert HERE, or one hour later HERE, when a large plume of smoke had formed.
The incident required a major response, including two DNR helicopters, DNR fire crews, and assistance from Orcas and San Juan Fire Departments to support Lopez firefighters.
“That fire should be a wakeup call for islanders,” Chief Bigby emphasized. “It was just an average summer day with some wind, and the fire spread incredibly fast. Without helicopter support, it could have been far more destructive. Islanders and visitors really need to avoid activities that can start fires in the summer, especially on windy days.”
San Juan County Emergency Management Director Brendan Cowan agrees: “We’re incredibly grateful for this new system, but we’re just as grateful every time an islander chooses not to be the cause of a fire—skipping the beach fire when it’s windy or not allowed, avoiding fireworks, being careful with tools near dry grass. Late summer requires extra caution until the rains return.”
To explore the Pano system, visit wadnr.wildfirewatch.com/. For information on wildland fire preparedness, visit www.islandsready.org/wildland-fire.
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I too am grateful for all of the firefighting apparatus and skilled response personnel that we currently have here on Orcas Island. Our firefighting response mechanism is looking better than we have ever had, and I feel that my tax dollars are well spent supporting this. Having worked on wild land firefighting crews in the past I can attest to how quickly a blaze can grow, and how slowly, at times, the response can be. It’s a relief to feel the cooler temperatures and the higher moisture content that we’re enjoying at the moment… this being in stark contrast to the extreme conditions we were experiencing only a couple of weeks ago.
I can only agree with SJC Emergency Management Director Brendan Cowan when he states, “We’re incredibly grateful for this new system, but we’re just as grateful every time an islander chooses not to be the cause of a fire—skipping the beach fire when it’s windy or not allowed, avoiding fireworks, being careful with tools near dry grass. Late summer requires extra caution until the rains return.”
In line with Brendan’s statement I was concerned by how long it took for SJC to enact this season’s burn ban, and considering our remote location was shocked to see that the ban did not include recreational fires. They don’t want to upset the thousands of day trippers from Seattle who come and camp out here every summer I suppose, including in Moran State Park, (with this area being possibly both the most likely place as well as the least accessible place for an out of control wild fire to occur on the island).
Though the state wide fire ban initiated by Gov. Ferguson in early August does not prohibit small recreational fires (they must be less than three feet in diameter and in established fire rings), and the statewide DNR fire ban only prohibits recreational fires east of the Cascades, both entities do allow local jurisdictions the ability to enact stricter regulations, (as some of our neighboring counties have).
It’s not a question of “if,” it’s only a question of “when.” Considering Orcas’ complex geography, and the lack of firefighting equipment and personnel, I feel that in the future it would be prudent to include recreational fires in our fire bans.
FWIW, MJ
Cascadia Daily News 8/10/26– A complete burn ban for unincorporated Skagit County will start Wednesday, Aug. 12, the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office announced Monday.
As of September 1, 2026, Skagit County has modified its burn ban to allow recreational fires in unincorporated areas. This change is due to increased moisture levels in the region.
Further online research shows me that I had erred in my previous comment regarding the burn ban status at Moran State Park. I now see that it is under a Burn Ban Level 3 notice and is closed to all wood fired recreational fires.
One would think that SJC would follow their lead and issue the same alert for “all of the islands.”
My apologies to the management and employees of the park for this misunderstanding.
Moran State Park
Burn Ban Level 3
Posted on: July 23, 2026
Gas/propane self-contained camping stoves and portable gas/propane fire pits allowed. No charcoal or wood fires allowed.