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Maryland Current Fire Restrictions (2026)

Info: 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 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; no such release appeared on DNR's news page at LawLert's latest check. Counties and towns can impose stricter local rules — check locally before burning.

InfoVerified Nov 13, 2026

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Official source: dnr.maryland.gov →

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Current Fire Restrictions in states bordering Maryland

How each neighboring state LawLert has verified classifies the same rule, with its own official source and the date it was last checked. The wording is on that state’s page.

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