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Locals burn masks in celebration

Indoor mask mandate ended last night

By Hailey Hoffman Visual Journalist

Celebrating the end of the statewide mask mandate, dozens of locals tossed their masks into a wood fire pit and watched them burn at The Mill at Seventh in Lynden on March 11. 

The popular Lynden restaurant hosted the “Masks to Ashes” event for the community to say goodbye to masks together. 

Gov. Jay Inslee announced that the mask mandate would be lifted at 11:59 p.m. due to a significant statewide decrease in COVID-19 cases.

A surgical mask burns on the firewood.
A surgical mask quickly burns in the hot fire. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Several dozen hang out on the patio with drinks to warm by the fire.
Several dozen hang out on the patio at The Mill, waiting to burn their masks. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

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