Maryland Open-Air Burning Bans During Wildfire Conditions

Section 5-720 of Maryland's Natural Resources Article lets the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, or the Governor, declare a burning ban during prolonged or unusual conditions conducive to the easy starting and spread of fire. While a ban is in effect, no person may start or allow open air burning in the covered area, with narrow exceptions for supervised fire-department training burns. The DNR Forest Service enforces it: under subsection (c), public officers may enter private property on reasonable suspicion of unlawful burning to put out the fire and enforce the section. Outside a ban, burning still requires a Forest Service permit, a 10-foot firebreak, and burning only between 4 p.m. and midnight.

Starting or allowing open air burning while a Department of Natural Resources burning ban is in effect violates Section 5-720. Public officers may enter your property to extinguish the fire and enforce the prohibition.