Watch CBS News

Warm Weather And Gusty Winds Make Md. Conditions Ripe For Brush Fires

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's that time of the year--fire season. Brush fires have been popping up in Maryland.

Linh Bui finds out why the risk is so high.

Every year in our state, fire departments respond to more than 5,000 wildfire incidents.

Dry brush, warm weather and gusty winds make conditions in Maryland ripe for brush fires.

"This time of the year, brush fires and woods fires will be prevalent. We plan ahead and prepare our equipment, train our personnel," said Captain Bruce Schultz, Baltimore County Fire Department.

Schultz's crews responded to a blaze Thursday near the old Chestnut Ridge Country Club in Lutherville. The wind spread the flames quickly. Sky Eye Chopper 13 captured the scene.

In Harford County, firefighters battled a two-alarm fire on Macton Road. Schools had to re-route students because of road closures.

According to Schultz, the brush fire dangers will likely peak in late May before quieting down in June.

Human error sparks many brush fires. Throw away cigarettes properly and never leave an outdoor fire unattended.

"Make sure that you have some way of extinguishing it. A fire extinguisher, a garden hose, a bucket of water. And, as such, you always want to make sure before you leave the fire, it is completely out," Schultz said.

The brush fire risk will decrease by the summer, once the wind dies down and people become more careful. But then the risk increases again, because Maryland experiences both spring and fall fire seasons.

Another cause of brush fires--power lines that have fallen in wooded areas.

Other Local News:

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.