Wicomico, Worcester Counties Issue Outdoor Burning Bans

SNOW HILL, Md.- Effective immediately, outdoor burning has been banned in both Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Due to extreme drought conditions, Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. issued the burn ban following the advice of his burn ban committee. The group is composed of representatives of the county health department, the forestry service, emergency management services, fire fighters, county code enforcement and a local meteorologist.

The executive has the authority to issue a ban for seven days. Pollitt said that he expects the dry conditions to continue into the foreseeable future and has recommended to the county council that it extend the ban indefinitely until weather conditions warrant a reassessment by the burn ban committee. The council is expected to consider the matter at its regular meeting of April 17.

All outdoor burning is prohibited with the following exemptions:

• Gas and charcoal grill for their proper use.
• Campfires at Roaring Point and Sandy Hill campgrounds which must be monitored at all times. All such campfires shall be confined to designated fire rings, grills, fire pits, fireplaces or other facilities constructed for fires. Before breaking camp, fires should be drowned and completely extinguished.
• Recreational campfires on private property and public campgrounds are permitted. The campfires are limited to a size of 2 feet in width and 3 feet in height.
• The staging of professional fireworks displays.

Burn ban violations carry a $500 fine per incident. The county's planning and zoning department administers burn ban enforcement. Citizens may call (410) 548-4860 to report violations during regular business hours. At other times, citizens may call the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office at (410) 548-4891.

Pollitt added that all burning permits are voided for the duration of the burn ban and that the Health Department will not be issuing burning permits until further notice.

Worcester County's outdoor burning ban was issued by Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon.

The ban, which like Wicomico's is also effective immediately, 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 2 feet with a height of 3 feet
• Public fireworks displays
• Volunteer fire company training exercises

"Due to the county's recent drought conditions and the drought forecast the burn ban is effective immediately," McMahon said. "This ban hopefully will reduce the number of out-of-control outside fires which cause safety concerns for area residents, visitors and especially responding personnel."

The ban will remain in effect until the dry conditions dissipate. Robert Mitchell, the county's director of environmental programs, added that all existing outdoor burn permits have been rescinded. For more information, call Fire Marshal McMahon at (410) 632-5666.