Maryland · Burn Bans

The rule today

Maryland's summer open-burning prohibition is in effect NOW: 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 — no open-burn permits are issued in these jurisdictions during this period. 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.

✓ Verified against the official source · July 27, 2026 · Official source ↗