Latest news with #AlanMatheny
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Washington County reinstates burn ban following two Wednesday wildfires
Washington County's burn ban is back. The county's Office of Emergency Management reinstated the countywide burn ban shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, effective immediately, according to a county announcement. That move came by order of the county commissioners. "All outdoor burning is strictly prohibited and will remain in effect for a minimum of one week. This decision is based on the current weather conditions and the heightened risk of outdoor fires," according to a message from the county's emergency notification system. "Residents are urged to comply with the burn ban to prevent the risk of uncontrolled fires that could threaten lives and property," a county news release states. "Violators of the burn ban may be subject to fines and penalties per Md. Code Regs. 08.07.04.02 - Application and Md. Code Regs. 08.07.04.03 - Open Air Burning." "We are reinstating the burn ban due to the elevated fire danger and an increase in the number of outdoor fires, which have been more frequent and significant," Emergency Management Director Alan Matheny said in the release. "We urge all residents to adhere to this ban and take fire safety seriously to protect our community." The current burn ban prohibits the following, but is not limited to these actions alone: Campfires Open fire pits Burning debris and brush Agricultural burns Any other open flame activity that could pose a fire hazard The last burn ban was lifted on Monday morning. Since then there have been at least two outdoor fires in the county. The National Weather Service is forecasting winds up to 5 mph to 10 mph for Friday in the Hagerstown area and gusts as high as 25 mph on Saturday. There is a chance of rain starting Saturday, with that chance forecasted at 100% for at least part of Sunday, according to the weather service's website. The latest burn ban comes in the wake of two outside fires on Wednesday afternoon, one near Hagerstown City Park that burned about 2.6 acres, and one in the Pinesburg area that reached the exterior wall of a camper trailer. The Hagerstown wildfire was at the site of the old railroad roundhouse off South Burhans Boulevard, according to a Facebook post by the Hagerstown Fire Department. Hoping to see Thursday's lunar eclipse?: Here's the forecast for Hagerstown, Greencastle areas All city fire companies as well as numerous assisting companies responded to the fire, which also burned a retaining wall made of railroad ties and piles of railroad ties, the post states. Firefighters were able to contain the fire before it got to a more wooded area next to City Park. The Pinesburg-area fire was a grass/brush fire that spread to a camper trailer and burned the trailer's exterior wall, according to a news release from the Maryland state fire marshal's office. The preliminary cause of that fire was listed as accidental due to improperly discarded ashes. The fire occurred in the 14300 block of Clear Spring Road, northwest of Williamsport This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County, Maryland, reinstates burn ban after two wildfires
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Washington County, Maryland, lifts burn ban, but officials urge residents to use caution
Washington County's Office of Emergency Management has lifted the countywide burn ban as of 8 a.m. Monday, March 10. County officials announced last Friday afternoon the burn ban would be lifted, the same afternoon about 10.5 acres of woodland and a shed were burned in the Clear Spring area due to an equipment fire, according to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal. The burn ban was put in place a week earlier due to heightened fire danger and in the wake of several outdoor fires. Recent rain and increased humidity have improved conditions, according to a county news release about the burn ban being lifted. However, county officials are asking residents to "remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when conducting outdoor burning activities," the release states. They're coming back: Cicadas set to bring the buzz to Maryland this year: When and where Brood XIV is emerging "We appreciate the cooperation of our residents and businesses during this burn ban," said Alan Matheny, the county's emergency management director, in the release. "Your efforts have helped protect lives and property, and we encourage continued fire safety awareness." County officials remind residents to adhere to local and state fire regulations and use caution when doing any outdoor burning. Best practices the county provided for outdoor burning are: Never leave fires unattended Keep a water source nearby If the wind is blowing, don't burn Ensure fires are fully extinguished before leaving the area The burn ban was lifted by order of the county commissioners. Windy conditions persisted through the weekend, with winds reaching over 35 mph multiple times on Saturday and around 30 mph on Sunday, according to local weather observer Greg Keefer's website at The next chance for rain in the Hagerstown area is Saturday and there is an 80% chance of showers on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service's online forecast. Among the wildfires to occur during the burn ban, was a fire that started early Friday afternoon west of Clear Spring after the owner of a backhoe turned it on to let it warm up and went into the residence, according to the state fire marshal's office. When the owner returned, he saw the backhoe on fire and went back into the home to get a phone to call 911, according to a news release from the fire marshal's office. The fire spread, burning a nearby shed and about 10.5 acres of woodland. The estimated loss of the shed was $20,000, including contents valued at $10,000, the release states. Thirty-one firefighters responded to the fire, which took about 2 1/2 hours to get under control, the release states. The fire, ruled accidental, originated in the backhoe's engine compartment. The Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Co. was the primary responder to the fire in the 11400 block of National Pike. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County, Maryland, lifts burn ban
