By Richard Caines

SALISBURY — Wicomico County Council has extended a temporary burning ban by County Executive Julie Giordano indefinitely, due to a recent lack of rain on the Eastern Shore.

The June 26 measure by the council comes days after Giordano issued a temporary burning ban, saying she expected dry conditions to continue for the “foreseeable” future. Giordano only had the authority to issue a seven-day ban.

Officials said the June 26 extended ban was needed because current drought conditions in the 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.”

The decision for the burning ban was issued after the advice of the Burn Ban Committee, consisting of representatives of the Wicomico County Health Department, the Forestry Service, Department of Emergency Services, firefighters, county code enforcement and National Weather Service meteorologists.

Director of Emergency Services Lorenzo Cropper told the council that as of June 26, the county has a deficit of three inches of rain. He said per the National Weather Service, they are looking at the middle of July before considering to remove the ban.

Councilman Jeff Merritt said he was invited to attend the committee’s meeting and noted the need for the burn ban, especially with the upcoming holiday.

“Once of the things we heard this morning, as we approach the Fourth of July holiday, the professional aerial fireworks displays are not a huge concern,” Merritt said. “What’s more a concern is the ground base fireworks that you buy at some of the local retailers.

“The burn ban says that you are not supposed to use those, so please be responsible. You don’t want to set your neighbor’s field on fire.”

All outdoor burning is now prohibited with the following exemptions:

• Gas and charcoal grill for their proper use.
• Campfires at Roaring Point and Sandy Hill campgrounds 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.
• Recreational campfires on private property and public campgrounds are permitted. The campfires are limited to a size of two feet in width and three feet in height.
• 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 urged all residents to practice caution while engaging in the exempted burning practices.

“I suggest that citizens keep a garden hose and fire extinguisher nearby while using their gas or charcoal grills or enjoying a recreational fire,” Giordano said. “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.

Reach Managing Editor Richard Caines at rcaines@iniusa.org.