Woods Fire Prompts Warning From Fire Company In Harford County

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Crews in Fallston handled several fires Monday afternoon in Harford County.

A 911 caller told emergency dispatchers multiple blazes were burning in the 2400 block of Putnam Road before 1 p.m. Monday, according to the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company. An engine, tanker, brush truck, utility vehicle and chief from Fallston responded.

After finding several blazes burning in different areas, crews traced the origin to a campfire that had been left unattended, according to officials, who issued guidance for those who are planning to ignite anything outdoors in the future.

"Please be sure all ashes and burned material is fully extinguished prior to leaving the fire unattended," the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company advised.

"We urge everyone to be particularly cognizant of weather conditions if performing any open burning or having a recreational fire," officials continued, particularly with "more days where the temperatures are higher, wind velocity is up, and especially if the relative humidity and/or fuel moisture content values are decreased."

Temperatures were up to 67 degrees at BWI Airport Monday afternoon, according to data from the National Weather Service.

Last Saturday and Sunday when temperatures were above average, there were also multiple woods, brush and field fires around Harford, Baltimore and York counties, according to Fallston fire officials. Those "rapidly became out of control" because the fuel moisture levels were low, causing things like grass to ignite more easily, Fallston firefighters reported.

People can check the fire weather forecast from the National Weather Service before lighting fires to see if there are any alerts based on things like wind or humidity.