Due to extremely dry conditions, outdoor burn bans have been announced for Wicomico, Dorchester and Somerset counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver issued a burn ban order for Wicomico County effective Thursday, Oct. 3 at noon. Under Wicomico's ban 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.
The Somerset County Commissioners announced an outdoor burn ban Thursday, which is in effect immediately.
Somerset's burn ban applies to all outdoor ignition sources, including campfires, bonfires, fireworks, leaf, brush, grass and trash burning and other similar methods of open incineration. The ban will remain in effect until the Somerset County Commissioners decide to lift it.
Dorchester County's burn ban goes into effect Friday, Oct. 4 at 8 a.m. The ban applies to all open air burning with the exception of gas or charcoal grills and controlled burns under the direct control and supervision of fire departments. The ban is in effect until the Dorchester County Council decides to lift it. Click here for details about Dorchester's burn ban.
