MD Faces Elevated Wildfire Risk April 11, 12: Weather Service

MARYLAND — Dry conditions, low humidity and winds gusting up to 25 mph combined to pose a greater wildfire risk to much of Maryland, the National Weather Service said. The winds and low humidity create a fire danger through Wednesday night.

Counties under a special weather statement warning of fire dangers on Tuesday and a fire watch on Wednesday include: Garrett, Washington, Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Marys, Calvert, Allegany, Montgomery, Howard and Harford.

Cities within the alert area include: Hagerstown, Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Eldersburg,
Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Elkton, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Lexington Park, California, Chesapeake Beach, Huntingtown, Dunkirk, North Beach, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Frostburg, Cumberland, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, and Aberdeen.

Westerly winds will gust 20 to 25 mph Tuesday, especially in the mid- to late afternoon. Relative humidity values will fall between 15 and 25 percent.

An elevated fire danger will continue until about 8 p.m. Tuesday before the winds gradually weaken and humidity rises.

"Given recent dry weather, fuels are very dry. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged during this time," the National Weather Service said. "Please refer to your local burn permitting authority on whether you can burn. If you do burn, use extreme caution and ensure fire suppression is readily available."

Wednesday's condition will also create a risk of wildfires. The forecast calls for sunny skies with a high near 83. West wind of 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph are expected. That means that critical fire weather conditions may occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings.

During spring wildfire season, the leading unintentional cause of wildfires is burning of debris or other outdoor burning, which on a ten-year average accounts for 34 percent of the fires to which the Maryland Forest Service responds.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said the second-leading cause of wildfires is arson, followed by man-made causes such as heat or sparks from equipment use.

Lightning is the only natural source of fire ignition, and accounts for only 3 percent of fire starts.
The Maryland Forest Service recommends that instead of outdoor debris burning, you compost or mulch yard waste, leaves and brush, and use larger brush or trees for firewood.

Outdoor burning should only be done on low fire danger days. State regulations apply to activities in or within 200 feet of woodland, or activities adjacent to or within an area where flammable materials are located.

Open air burning is only allowed if:

• There is a natural or constructed fire break at least 10 feet wide completely around the material to be burned that is free of flammable materials;
• Adequate personnel and equipment are present to prevent the fire from escaping;
• At least one responsible person remains at the location of the fire until the last spark is out; and
• Burning occurs between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight unless the ground is covered with snow.

More information on open air burning is available on the Department of Natural Resources website.Department of Natural Resources website.