Fire Threat: Weather Officials Discourage Outdoor Burning In Maryland Thursday

Marylanders should not conduct any outside burning if possible Thursday afternoon, weather officials advise.

The combination of windy and dry conditions has created an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.

Those handling any sort of ignition source — machinery, cigarettes or matches — should be extremely careful.

"Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials," weather officials advised. "Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly."

Winds will be 20 to 30 mph, and the moisture and humidity in the air remain low.

"Outdoor burning is highly discouraged," the National Weather Service said in a special weather statement Thursday.

The statement applies to most of Maryland, northern and central Virginia and eastern West Virginia.

The Maryland counties where outdoor burning is discouraged Thursday afternoon due to the enhanced fire threat include Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's, as well as Baltimore City.

Pictured, a fire broke out near Bel Air Wednesday as a citizen was burning leaves. Flames spread to an outbuilding, vehicle and brush, fire officials said. Photo Credit: Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. Match image via Shutterstock.