PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation, Natural Resources Division, has scheduled controlled burns for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm, located at 2695 Grays Road. Conducted by the Maryland Forest Service, the burns will close the farm to the public for the day, with smoke expected in the immediate area and emergency personnel stationed along Grays Road. Weather conditions may shift the date, officials cautioned.
The burns aim to bolster the farm’s meadow ecosystem. By clearing excess thatch, curbing invasive plants, and spurring native grass growth, the controlled fires maintain ecological health, a practice long endorsed by the Maryland Forest Service. Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm, a 192-acre site preserved for its historical and natural value per Calvert County’s website, relies on such methods to sustain its grasslands and wildlife habitats.
Residents near Grays Road should expect visible smoke and some traffic presence from emergency vehicles, though no disruptions to public safety are anticipated. The county emphasized the burns’ role in land management, a technique used statewide—Maryland conducted over 1,200 acres of prescribed burns in 2024, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Weather, including wind and humidity, will dictate the final go-ahead, with updates available if plans change.
The burns at Biscoe Gray, a public space typically open for hiking and education, reflect this commitment. The farm will reopen once the operation concludes, restoring access to its trails and historic features.
