Snow Hill, Maryland - Effective immediately, Worcester County Fire Marshal Matthew Owens has issued a burn ban, and ALL outdoor burning is banned for an indefinite period of time in Worcester County.
"Due to the County's current dry conditions, low precipitation totals, and declining water table levels, 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 applies to all outdoor ignition sources, with the following exceptions:
- Proper use of gas and charcoal grills
- Campfires at the County's commercial campgrounds
- Campfires at State and Federal campgrounds
- Permitted official Town of 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
- Volunteer fire company training exercises
The burn ban will remain in effect until the dry conditions improve and County officials determine that outdoor burning may safely resume.
"All existing outdoor burn permits have been rescinded," Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell said. "Conditions remain dry, rainfall has been below normal, and County monitoring indicates that water table levels remain low. These conditions increase the potential for rapid fire spread and support the need for this temporary ban."