Live fire restrictions & Red Flag Warnings · National Weather Service
🔴 Red Flag Warning
Critical fire weather — extreme danger, high winds, low humidity. Burning is typically banned statewide and by county.
🟠 Fire Weather Watch
Dangerous conditions developing within 24–72 hrs. Monitor for upgrade to Red Flag Warning and imminent restrictions.
⚠️ County bans may differ
Maryland county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking Maryland fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official Maryland source:
Maryland Forest ServiceOpen-air burningOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when Maryland has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in Maryland are issued separately from state-level restrictions — a county can be under a burn ban even when the rest of the state is not. County commissioners, the county fire marshal, or the county judge typically issue these orders, and they are not reflected in NWS alerts shown on the map above.
The Maryland DNR Forest Service publishes statewide and area-specific burn ban declarations on this page; the Director can declare complete bans for the whole state or specific areas. Individual counties may have additional burn ban authority through their own fire marshals, county executives, or emergency management offices — residents should also check with their local county government.
Maryland DNR Open Air Burning — Maryland Forest ServiceView county map ↗Federal land managers use a tiered system that escalates as fire danger increases. Stage restrictions apply only to the land they are issued for — your county may have a separate burn ban on private land.
Open burning prohibited. Campfires may still be allowed in designated fire rings at developed campgrounds. Portable gas and pressurized-liquid stoves are typically allowed in cleared areas.
All open fires prohibited — including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves may be allowed in cleared areas. Chainsaw use and motorized off-road vehicles restricted.
Maximum restriction before full closure. All fires may be prohibited. Motorized vehicle use off designated roads, shooting, and spark-producing tools are typically banned.
State or county-level complete ban on all open burning — campfires, burn barrels, brush and agricultural burning. Gas and propane grills for cooking are usually still allowed.
Area is fully closed — no public access or fire-related activity of any kind is permitted.
Typically equivalent to Stage 1. Open burning prohibited; campfires in developed campgrounds may still be allowed. Common on BLM land in NV, OR, and ID.
Agency-specific restriction with unique terms. Always read the specific order from the issuing land management office — scope varies significantly.
Oregon ODF Industrial Fire Precaution Level — applies to industrial operations (logging, equipment) on ODF-protected state and private forestland. IFPL I is the lowest level; IFPL IV is the most restrictive. Separate from USFS campfire restrictions.
Restriction scope and exact prohibitions vary by agency and order. Always confirm with the issuing land management office or visit the official source linked above.
Maryland DNR Forest Service open air burning permits are free and required for burning in or within 200 feet of woodlands. Applications are submitted through the local Forest Service district office; approval takes approximately 10 days. Burns exceeding 1 acre require a formal written prescribed burn plan submitted to and approved by the Forest Service before any burning begins.
Get Maryland burning permit ↗Or call the Maryland forestry hotline: 410-260-8531 (toll-free in MD: 1-877-620-8367)
Maryland experiences two peak wildfire seasons: spring (mid-February through early May) and fall (October through mid-December), when deciduous trees shed leaves allowing sun and wind to dry the forest floor. Western Maryland's Appalachian ridges and steep terrain create elevated fire spread risk, while the Eastern Shore's pine forests are prone to fast-moving ground fires. The spring season is typically more active due to dry dormant vegetation combined with low humidity and gusty winds.
Statewide or regional burn bans and open-burning suspensions on state and private land.
County-wide burn bans — the level that most often affects homeowners and is easy to miss.
Stage 1–3 fire restrictions and closures on national forests, parks, and other federal land.
Municipal open-burning rules, fireworks bans, and local red-flag restrictions.
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The live map and status strip above show active Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches from the National Weather Service for Maryland. For the legally binding answer, check the official Maryland source: Maryland Forest Service at https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/pages/fire/firenotes.aspx. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, Maryland prohibits: All open air burning in woodlands or within 200 feet of woodlands during a declared ban; Burning before 4 p.m. or after midnight (except when snow covers the ground); Burning without a 10-foot cleared firebreak completely surrounding the burn area; Burning without a responsible person remaining on-site until all sparks are extinguished; Burning toxic or hazardous materials, garbage, or prohibited waste at any time; Open burning in incorporated town limits (requires separate municipal permits/approval); Burning areas over 1 acre without a submitted written prescribed burn plan approved by the Forest Service. Typically still allowed: Small recreational campfires not adjacent to woodlands; Burning between 4 p.m. and midnight when conditions and permits allow; Propane and gas grills (not considered open air burning); Burning when ground is snow-covered (anytime, no time restriction); Burning with a valid DNR permit and all safety conditions met (10-ft firebreak, personnel, water access). Always verify the specific order with Maryland Forest Service — prohibited activities can vary by jurisdiction and restriction level.
Gas and propane grills used for cooking on private residential property are typically allowed during a Maryland burn ban. Charcoal grills may be permitted in calm conditions but check the specific order. Wood-fired grills, outdoor fire pits, and campfires are usually prohibited. Always verify with Maryland Forest Service before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in Maryland independently: Maryland Forest Service for statewide or regional orders; Varies by county — the DNR Director issues statewide bans; county-level bans may be issued by the County Executive (e.g., Wicomico), the County Fire Marshal (e.g., Worcester), or the County Council/Emergency Management (e.g., Talbot). Residents should confirm with their specific county government. for county-wide bans that affect most homeowners; federal land managers (U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS) for Stage 1–3 restrictions on federal land; and cities or local fire districts for additional local rules. A county burn ban can be active even with no statewide restriction — always check both.
Burn bans in Maryland have no fixed duration — they are issued when fire danger is high and lifted when conditions improve, which can happen overnight or persist for weeks during drought. Red Flag Warnings from the NWS typically last 24–48 hours. State and county burn bans are lifted separately. Check the issuing agency daily during dry, windy conditions.
Maryland experiences two peak wildfire seasons: spring (mid-February through early May) and fall (October through mid-December), when deciduous trees shed leaves allowing sun and wind to dry the forest floor. Western Maryland's Appalachian ridges and steep terrain create elevated fire spread risk, while the Eastern Shore's pine forests are prone to fast-moving ground fires. The spring season is typically more active due to dry dormant vegetation combined with low humidity and gusty winds.
Maryland DNR Forest Service open air burning permits are free and required for burning in or within 200 feet of woodlands. Applications are submitted through the local Forest Service district office; approval takes approximately 10 days. Burns exceeding 1 acre require a formal written prescribed burn plan submitted to and approved by the Forest Service before any burning begins.
Violating a Maryland burn ban can result in: Burning without a required permit: civil penalty up to $25,000, with each day of violation counting as a separate offense; Violation of DNR forest fire regulations: fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 1 year imprisonment; First citation for violating a statewide burn ban: $300 fine; Landowner liability: responsible for all costs incurred by the state in suppressing any fire that escapes; Repeat or aggravated violations may be charged as criminal misdemeanors under Maryland Natural Resources Article.
Sign up for free FireRisk.ai fire alerts below — we'll notify you when the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for your area of Maryland. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor Maryland Forest Service at https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/pages/fire/firenotes.aspx for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official Maryland agency sources. Burn ban status changes daily — always confirm with the official source and your county before any outdoor burning. This page is for awareness only and is not an official or legal notice. For fire emergencies call 911.
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