A Code Orange air quality alert is in effect for Maryland amid wildfires that are burning around the state, including one inside an Army installation on the Upper Bay.
Maryland imposed a statewide ban on outdoor, open air burning on Friday, Nov. 1. That means campfires and charcoal grills are not allowed until further notice. The state has seen an “above average number of wildfires”, and the dry, windy conditions we’re experiencing are not expected to change in the near future. Fallen leaves are adding to the risk.
Over the weekend, uncontrolled brush fires at Aberdeen Proving Ground sent a thick layer of smoke onto the waterfront, spotted by neighbors all over Harford County. The Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) Fire Department announced it was fighting multiple unplanned range fires on Sunday. By Monday, APG Fire, the Aberdeen Test Center and the Maryland National Guard were still monitoring hot spots within the testing area of the Army installation.
APG leaders say the fire poses no threat to the surrounding community, but smoke has been visible from several areas of Harford and Cecil counties. APG says it is taking “all necessary precautions” to ensure its personnel, residents and the surrounding communities stay safe.
The Code Orange air alert triggered by the smoke on Monday meant that certain groups at risk for air pollution were advised to avoid the outdoors. The Maryland Department of the Environment says the highest concentrations of lingering spoke are in Metro/Northern Baltimore and Northeast Maryland. Visit the Department of the Environment’s latest air quality information here.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says there have been several fires over the past month. “Since October 1, the Forest Service has responded to more than 24 wildfires that have burned 75 acres, more than triple the 10-year average of 7 wildfires burning 21 acres for the month.” The state Forest Service and other firefighters are still working to contain active fires in multiple counties in the Bay watershed.
The numerous fires come on the heels of an extremely dry month, with October only seeing 25 percent of the average precipitation for that month. And there’s little chance of rain for most of this week.
The outdoor burn ban applies to campfires, fire pits and charcoal grilling. Open-air burning includes “a fire where any material is burned in the open or in a receptacle other than a furnace, incinerator, or other equipment connected to a stack or chimney.”
DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz acknowledges the ban may not be convenient amid prime camping weather and fire pit season. “We do not make these determinations lightly and understand this may require some people to adjust their plans,” Kurtz says. “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.”
A first violation of breaking the burn ban could bring Marylanders a $300 fine. The Maryland Forest Service says the ban will be enforced with penalties, communicating how severe the situation is.
Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties already have local restrictions in place along the Bay. Outdoor fire restrictions are also in place for the entire State of Delaware and several Pennsylvania counties.
The ban will remain in effect until the Maryland Forest Service determines the state has received enough rainfall to reduce the threat of wildfires across the state.
