← Maryland burn ban rules›Current Fire Restrictions

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).

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); no statewide DNR wildfire burn ban is currently declared (the last, Nov 2024, was lifted). Counties and towns can impose stricter local rules — check locally before burning.

Official source: regs.maryland.gov →

Check the live restriction status: mde.maryland.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.