Ninety-six percent of wildfires in Maryland are caused by human activity. Clear regulations, informed decision-making, and routine property maintenance can significantly reduce that risk. The Maryland Forest Service provides guidance on open air burning requirements and supports homeowners and communities in reducing wildfire risk in areas where residential development meets or intermingles with forest and wildland vegetation.

Open Air Burning

The Maryland Forest Service is responsible for forest fire protection in woodland areas and within 200 feet of woodland, including areas where flammable materials could carry fire to woodland. These regulations do not apply inside the limits of incorporated towns or to small recreational fires such as campfires.

Open air burning is permitted under the following conditions:

1. A natural or constructed firebreak at least 10 feet wide and free of flammable materials completely surrounds the material to be burned.
2. Adequate personnel and equipment are present to prevent the fire from escaping.
3. At least one responsible person remains on site until the last spark is out.
4. Burning occurs between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight, except when the ground is covered with snow, in which case burning may occur at any time provided all other requirements are met.

Individuals engaged in open air burning must also comply with all applicable state and local requirements. To obtain a burning permit, contact your local Forest Service office.

Under prolonged or unusual conditions conducive to wildfire, the Director may declare a complete burn ban on all open air burning in woodland or in areas where flammable material could carry fire to woodland, statewide or in any specific area.

The full Forest Fire Protection regulations are available in the Code of Maryland Regulations​.

Prescribed Fire

Prescribed burning may be conducted in compliance with open air burning regulations. A written Prescribed Burn Plan must be submitted to the Forest Service for approval prior to any prescribed burn.

• Prescribed Fire Policy
• Prescribed Burn Plan Template
• Prescribed Burning Agreement

​Reducing Wildfire Risk at Home

Homeowners in or near wooded areas bear responsibility for preparing their properties before a wildfire occurs. The area immediately surrounding a home is the most critical factor in determining whether a structure survives a wildfire. Creating and maintaining defensible space — a minimum of 30 feet around all structures — reduces the likelihood of fire traveling from the forest to the home.

Key steps homeowners can take:

1. Address — Ensure your address is clearly visible from the road in both directions, day and night, using reflective numerals at least 4 inches tall.
2. Yard — Maintain a mowed lawn at least 30 feet wide around all sides of the home.
3. Maintenance — Keep roofs, gutters, and yards clear of dead leaves, twigs, and other flammable debris.
4. Access — Clear vegetation from driveways to a width of at least 12 feet and a height of 14 feet to allow emergency vehicle access.
5. Decks — Remove fla​mmable debris from under and around decks. Enclose the underside of low decks with a lattice backed by wire screen.
6. Landscaping — Use fire-resistant plants and mulches. Avoid evergreens and ornamental grasses within 30 feet of the home. Space plants so fire cannot spread between them.
7. Foundation — Keep all plants a minimum of 4 feet from the house. Do not plant evergreen shrubs or ornamental grasses against the structure.
8. Outbuildings — Apply the same standards to all outbuildings and fences.
9. Construction materials — When replacing siding or roofing, choose fire-resistant materials such as masonry, aluminum, fiber cement board, or asphalt shingles.
10. Firewood — Store firewood at least 30 feet from any structure.

Community Wildfire Protection Planning

As development in wildland-urban interface areas continues to expand across Maryland, the risk to lives and property increases. The Maryland Forest Service offers community wildfire protection planning services to qualifying wildland-urban interface communities at no cost.

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan analyzes wildfire risk in a community and helps guide mitigation efforts by residents, homeowners associations, developers, and local fire departments. Available services include:

• Community and public outreach and education
• Community wildfire risk assessments
• Wildfire home risk assessments and Home Ignition Zone analysis
• Community Wildfire Protection Plan development​
  
• Hazard fuel reduction projects and brush chipping services
• Assistance achieving national Firewise Community recognition

To request services or learn more, contact Lance Carroll, Firewise Coordinator, at (410) 742-6520 or [email protected].

Resources and Literature

• Maryland Community Wildfire Protection Plan Map
• Wildland Fire in Maryland Brochure
• Protecting Your Home from Wildfire
• Open Air Burning Regulations Pamphlet​
• ​Regla de Quemar al Aire Libre
• Wildland-Urban Interface Fact Sheet​
• Firewise Landscaping Brochure for Woodland Homes
• Firewise Landscaping Fact Sheet
• Firewise Plant List
• Plant Flammability Key
• Wildfire Home Risk Assessment Form

Fire Weather and Danger Conditions

• Fire Da​nger Rating
• NOAA Fir​e Weather Forecast