ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has lifted the statewide ban on open air burning in three more counties in Maryland due to recent rainfall. The ban that was implemented on March 31 has now been lifted in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties effective 2 p.m. on April 18.
The ban remains in effect in Allegany, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties. These counties continue to experience lower than normal rainfall and therefore are at a higher risk for large wildfire occurrence. Given the extended fire weather forecast calls for above normal temperatures and continued significant drying conditions, the ban will remain in effect in these counties until sufficient precipitation has been received.
The ban was lifted last week in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Baltimore City.
Garrett County was not included in the original ban.
More information on the statewide open-air burning ban can be found at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/infocus/fire_danger.asp.