UPDATE: Worcester County Officials Issue Burn Ban, Effective Immediately

UPDATE: The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a county-wide burn ban, prohibiting all outdoor burning for an indefinite amount of time.

This ban in place as a result of the low levels of precipitation, and follows the burn bans issued in Somerset and Wicomico counties.

The Fire Marshal has listed the following situations as exceptions to the ban:

• 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 ban will remain in effect until Worcester County officials determine that the dry conditions have improved.

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Officials in Worcester County are advising residents and visitors to exercise heightened caution with any outdoor burning due to dry conditions across the region.

The lack of rainfall has contributed to decreased soil moisture and a declining water table.

These conditions significantly increase the risk of rapid fire spread, particularly involving brush, grass and other combustible materials.

Fire departments in the area have responded to a number of outside fires.

While most incidents have been contained without serious damage, officials warn that the potential for more dangerous fires remain elevated.

Worcester County Environmental Programs continues to monitor groundwater levels and environmental conditions closely.

This article was originally published on Apr. 21 at 9:00 p.m.