UPDATE 11/13/2024: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the statewide burn ban, implemented on November 1, remains in effect due to ongoing wildfire risks. Despite recent rainfall in parts of the state, conditions conducive to wildfires persist, prompting the DNR to maintain the ban.
The DNR reports that since October 1, there have been 50 wildland fires in Maryland, burning an estimated 117.8 acres. As of November 12, five of these fires are contained and actively staffed, 15 are contained and monitored by patrol, and 30 have been extinguished. The DNR continues to monitor fuel conditions statewide and is actively working on fires in each region.
The burn ban prohibits open-air burning, including campfires and charcoal grilling. However, state law permits the use of propane grills. The DNR advises residents to exercise caution with outdoor activities and to avoid starting fires.
Neighboring states are also experiencing dry conditions that have heightened wildfire risk. An active fire near the New York-New Jersey border has consumed about 3,500 acres, and firefighters were working to contain it as of Tuesday afternoon.
The DNR emphasizes the importance of adhering to the burn ban to protect lives, property, and natural resources. Residents are urged to stay informed about local conditions and to report any suspicious activity that could lead to wildfires.
For more information and updates, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has imposed a statewide open-air burn ban effective November 1, 2024, citing persistent dry conditions and an increased wildfire risk across all Maryland counties. This unprecedented measure aims to protect residents, property, and the state’s natural resources as Maryland faces its driest conditions in recent history.
The burn ban prohibits all open-air fires, including campfires and charcoal grilling. However, propane grills remain permissible under state regulations. The restriction will continue until the Maryland Forest Service confirms that sufficient rainfall has reduced the wildfire threat.
DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz explained the decision, saying, “We do not make these determinations lightly and understand this may require some people to adjust their plans. However, a ban of this magnitude is necessary to protect the lives and property of Maryland residents and visitors, as well as the state’s natural resources. Given the significant risk, this is the only option available to us that will allow for statewide monitoring and enforcement to prevent wildfires due to the dangerous conditions.”
The move comes amid escalating concerns over wildfire outbreaks, with DNR data showing a threefold increase in recent wildfires compared to the state’s ten-year average. According to the Maryland Forest Service, 24 wildfires have scorched approximately 75 acres statewide since October 1. Historically, October sees about seven fires affecting 21 acres.
Several Maryland counties, including Dorchester, Garrett, Frederick, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester, had already implemented local burn restrictions before the statewide ban. Earlier this week, officials in Cecil and Washington counties advised residents to refrain from outdoor burning. The heightened alert extends to neighboring areas as well, with Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania also enforcing burn restrictions. In tandem with these efforts, the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings in six Maryland counties, signaling a high wildfire risk due to dry, windy conditions.
The prolonged drought has left Maryland’s landscape exceptionally vulnerable to fire. Trees across the state have shed a substantial amount of leaves, creating ample dry material that further fuels the risk. According to the DNR, October’s precipitation levels are markedly below average, with most areas receiving less than 25% of typical rainfall, excluding Garrett and Allegany counties, which still recorded under 50% of their monthly average. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center anticipates below-average precipitation for Maryland in the coming week, compounding concerns about fire hazards.
The authority to enforce this ban stems from state law passed in 2007, which allows the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, with advisement from the Maryland Forest Service, to enact a burn ban when conditions indicate heightened fire danger. The law classifies open-air burning as any fire that occurs outside of a structure connected to a stack or chimney, excluding regulated furnaces, incinerators, or specific equipment. Violators of the ban could face fines, with an initial citation costing $300. Authorized DNR agents and law enforcement officers are tasked with enforcing the restriction across the state.
“While fines may be imposed for violations, the most important result of a ban of this type is that it communicates to the public the severity of the situation, and the critical need to act responsibly to protect lives, property, and our environment,” stated Maryland State Forester Anne Hairston-Strang.
The state’s current fire restrictions mark a rare enforcement of the statutory ban, which has only been implemented five times since 1988. Previous bans lasted anywhere from one to eight weeks, with the 2006 ban in place for nearly a month. Maryland has also applied a less restrictive regulatory ban on open-air burning on four occasions since 1988. As the wildfire risk remains elevated, officials will continue daily evaluations to determine when conditions allow for the ban to be lifted safely.
The ban underscores a statewide effort to mitigate fire hazards until favorable weather conditions return. For now, Maryland residents and visitors are urged to adhere to the restrictions and use caution to reduce the risk of accidental wildfires.
