BURN BAN

 

WORCESTER COUNTY: Immediate burn ban in effect and burn permits rescinded in Worcester County

Snow Hill, Maryland – (June 21, 2024): Effective immediately, Worcester County Fire Marshal Matt Owens issued a burn ban, and ALL outdoor burning is banned for an indefinite period of time in Worcester County.

The ban applies to all outdoor ignition sources, with the following exceptions: proper use of gas and charcoal grills, campfires at the County’s commercial, State, and Federal campgrounds, permitted official Ocean City bonfires, private property recreational campfires that are limited to a fire area of two feet with a height of three feet, public fireworks displays, and volunteer fire company training exercises.

“Due to the County’s current dry conditions, the burn ban is effective immediately,” Fire Marshal Owens said. “This ban should reduce the number of out-of-control outside fires, which cause safety concerns for area residents, visitors, and especially responding fire personnel.” 

The ban will remain in effect until the dry conditions dissipate.

All existing outdoor burn permits have been rescinded,” Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell said. “Our water tables are extremely low, and this is confirmed by County and USGS monitoring well networks. We have extremely low precipitation totals, and the US drought monitor has the county under a moderate drought category.”

For further information, contact Fire Marshal Owens at 410-632-5666.

Burn bans are also in effect in Somerset, Wicomico and other Eastern Shore counties.