UPDATED: Outdoor Burn Ban Terminated in Wicomico County
UPDATED – 07/23/24 – On June 20th an outdoor burning ban was put into place by the Worcester County Executive because of extreme dry conditions. County Executive Julie Giordano, in consultation with the Wicomico County Burn Ban Committee determined that the emergency is ended as of noon on Tuesday, July 23. The ban on outdoor burning is withdrawn.
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ORIGINAL STORY – 06/20/24 – Due to drought conditions, County Executive Julie Giordano has issued a burn ban order for Wicomico County effective today, June 20th as of 12:00 PM. Giordano took the action on the advice of the Burn Ban Committee. The group is composed of representatives of the County Health Department, the Forestry Service, County Department of Emergency Services, fire fighters, county code enforcement and National Weather Service meteorologists. The executive has the authority to issue a ban for 7 days. Giordano said that she expects the dry conditions to continue into the foreseeable future and will recommend to the county council that they extend the ban until weather conditions warrant a re-assessment by the Burn Ban Committee.
Additional Information from Office of the County Executive:
All outdoor burning is prohibited with the following exemptions:
1) Gas and charcoal grill for their proper use;
2) Campfires at Roaring Point and Sandy Hill campgrounds which must be monitored at all times. All such campfires shall be confined to designated fire rings, grills, fire pits, fireplaces or other facilities constructed for fires. Before breaking camp, fires should be drowned and completely extinguished.
3) Recreational campfires on private property and public campgrounds are permitted. The campfires are limited to a size of 2 feet in width and 3 feet in height;
4) The staging of professional fireworks displays.
Burn ban violations carry a $500 fine per incident. County Planning & Zoning administers Burn Ban enforcement. Citizens may call 410-548-4860 to report violations during regular business hours. At other times, citizens may call the Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891.
Giordano urges all residents to practice caution while engaging in the exempted burning practices, saying, “I suggest that citizens keep a garden hose and fire extinguisher nearby while using their gas or charcoal grills or enjoying a recreational fire. Also, all fires should be completely extinguished and should never be left unsupervised.”
Giordano added that all burning permits are voided for the duration of the Burn Ban and that the Health Department will not be issuing burning permits until further notice.
WICOMICO COUNTY, MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Julie M. Giordano
COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Executive Order
Date: June 20, 2024
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY AND
INSTITUTION OF BAN ON OUTDOOR BURNING.
WHEREAS, the current drought conditions affecting Wicomico County present an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from fire and other public calamity resulting from the spread of fire, which requires emergency action; and
WHEREAS, the County Executive, has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the safety of the citizens of Wicomico County and the property of Wicomico County from potential fire damage; and
WHEREAS, This Executive Order is appropriate in order to prohibit outdoor burning which poses an imminent threat to the citizens of Wicomico County and to implement the emergency powers of the Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Julie M. Giordano, County Executive, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Charter and laws of Wicomico County, including but not limited to Chapter 15, titled “Emergency Management” of the Code of Wicomico County hereby Declare pursuant to Section 15-7 of Chapter 15 that a local emergency exists throughout the county and further order as follows:
(1) An emergency ban on all outdoor burning, except as provided below, shall be in effect from June 20, 2024 at 12:00 PM for the duration of the emergency as determined by the County Council. The following shall be exempted:
Gas and charcoal grill for their proper use;
(a)
(b)
(c)
Campfires at Roaring Point and Sandy Hill campgrounds, which must be monitored at all times. All such campfires shall be confined to designated fire rings, grills, fire pits, fireplaces or other facilities constructed for fire. Before breaking camp, fires should be drowned and completely extinguished.
Recreational campfires on private property and public campgrounds are permitted. The campfires are limited to a size of 2 feet in width and 3 feet height; (d) The staging of professional fireworks displays.
(2)
Violation of this ban shall be considered a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of $500.00 per incident and prosecuted in accordance with Chapter 221 of the Wicomico County Code.
(3) The Code Enforcement Division of the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development is empowered and authorized to enforce the provisions of this Resolution.
This Declaration and Order shall take effect June 20, 2024 at 12:00 PM and shall remain in effect until June 27, 2024
at 12:00 PM, unless extended by action of the County Council.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, 1, Julie M. Giordano, as County Executive of Wicomico County, Maryland, have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of Wicomico County to be affixed this 20th day of June 2024.
Julie M. Giordano County Executive
