Portage Island

Portage Island
Aerial view of Portage Island with Lummi Island behind
Portage Island is located in Strait of Juan de Fuca
Portage Island
Portage Island
Portage Island is located in Washington (state)
Portage Island
Portage Island
Geography
LocationBellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington
Coordinates48°42′N 122°37′W / 48.70°N 122.62°W / 48.70; -122.62
Area1.468 sq mi (3.80 km2)
Administration
Demographics
Population0 (2000)

Portage Island is an island in the western part of Bellingham Bay in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It is separated from the Lummi Peninsula by Portage Bay and from the central part of Lummi Island by Hale Passage, in Whatcom County. Portage Island has a land area of 3.803 km2 (1.468 sq mi). There was no resident population as of the 2000 census. According to the Whatcom County Assessors database, the land and the surrounding tide flats are owned by the Lummi Native American tribe. The island is wholly contained within the boundaries of the Lummi Indian Reservation.

In August 2024, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reopened 360 acres of the Lummi Nation's shellfish beds in Portage Bay. This brings the total area available for year-round harvest to 876 acres. A seasonal closure remains in effect from September 1 to November 30 for 440 acres of Lummi Nation shellfish beds. The Portage Bay upgrades show that community members acting to keep local waterways clean and reduce bacteria pollution is having a positive impact. However, there is still much work to be done, as explained by Lummi Natural Resources: "The reclassification marks a positive milestone in our partners' efforts to improve water quality."[1]

Crews from the Bellingham Fire Department responded on July 6, 2025, to a fire on Portage Island. Aerial suppression efforts were visible in a video as a helicopter dropped water on the fire. Firefighting efforts were also supported by the Lummi Nation Police Department, Lummi Fire Department and Lummi Natural Resources Department. Portage Island has no permanent residents. The island is owned by the Lummi Nation.[2]

There were similar fires on the south side of the island in early July 2009 and 2015. An investigation of the 2015 fire determined fireworks were the cause and an arrest made according to Lummi Communications.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Improved Water Quality Expands Shellfish Growing Areas in Portage Bay". Whatcom County, WA. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  2. ^ McCarter, Larry (July 7, 2025). "VIDEO: Aerial plane footage captures fire on Portage Island in Whatcom County". The Bellingham Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  3. ^ "Brush Fire Erupts on Portage Island: Emergency Response Update". Whatcom News. July 7, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.


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