The number of wildfires in Maryland during 2024 was much higher than the ten-year average, but acreage burned was significantly lower, according to the Maryland Forest Service’s Annual Wildland Fire Report. The report, which was released this month, March 2025, covers data related to wildfires on 3.2 million acres of land overseen by the Maryland Forest Service. In Maryland, 165 fires burned 953.4 acres during 2024, compared to 199 wildfires in 2023 that burned approximately 4,483 acres the previous year. Most fires are contained at two acres or less. The number of fires started in October and November 2024 was more than twice the average and occurred during an extended dry spell. However, extensive suppression efforts by Forest Service firefighters and partners as well as a three-week outdoor burning ban in November were successful in keeping fires relatively small, despite the drought and high fire risk weather conditions last fall. “The statewide burn ban in fall 2024 was a critical tool to minimize damage that threatened to be much worse,” said Chris Robertson, State Fire Supervisor for the Maryland Forest Service. “We are now moving into Maryland’s spring wildfire season and seeing some increased wildfire activity, which have been suppressed so far, but […]
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