Burn Bans

Maryland's summer open-burning prohibition is OUT OF SEASON: under state air-quality regulation COMAR 26.11.07.03C, open burning is PROHIBITED June 1 through Aug 31 each year in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Baltimore City — and from September 1 through May 31 the local control officer may again issue open-burn permits there (COMAR 26.11.07.03B). Cooking fires and recreational campfires are exempt. In the remaining counties (Allegany, Caroline, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, Worcester), open burning requires a permit from the local control officer. Separately, DNR Forest Service rules apply statewide for burning in or within 200 ft of woodland (free DNR permit, 10-ft firebreak, attendance until out, 4 p.m.–midnight); DNR's fire-rules page, re-read September 29, 2026, posts no current burn-ban declaration — but the DNR Director can declare a complete ban on open-air burning in or near woodland during unusual fire conditions and announces it by news release, which LawLert could not re-read this time. Counties and towns can impose stricter local rules — check locally before burning.