The MD DNR Forest Service is mandated by Natural Resources statute § 5-701 with the responsibility and mission of forest fire protection on all lands within Maryland. Annually the Forest Service responds to and average of 660 wildfires burning 3,600 acres throughout the state. In 2006, the Forest Service responded to 738 wildfires that burned 6,039 acres. The spring fire season was especially busy with March being one of the driest on record creating conditions for a record setting month for wildfire occurrence.

To combat these wildfires the Forest Service maintains a fleet of wildfire suppression equipment including 42 Type 6 & 7 wildfire engines, 19 tractor plow (fire dozer) units with transports, 2 tankers, and 1 bombardier. This equipment is utilized by agency personnel for both initial and extended attack operations on wildfires within the state. The DNR Forest Service is the only state agency that maintains this type of specialized heavy equipment for wildfire suppression. The Forest Service also relies on the volunteer and career fire service throughout the state for initial attack response for wildfires.

Prescribed burn operations are also conducted annually to reduce the risk of wildfires. Burns are conducted for various objectives including hazardous fuels reduction, site preparation, fuels manipulation, and wildlife habitat improvement. Treatments are accomplished on and average of 900 acres annually with 147 burns completed on 4,435 acres over the past five years.

Maryland has large areas of wildland urban interface (WUI) or areas where homes and forest are intermingled. This increases the threat of loss of property even with small wildfires. Landowners and homeowners must be aware of the dangers of wildfires and develop and use “Firewise” building and landscaping practices to help reduce the risk to their properties.

Please explore the website for more information on the Wildland Fire Management program.

Monte Mitchell
State Fire Supervisor

Links and related sites:
US Forest Service Fire & Aviation Management
Eastern Area Coordination Center
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
Fire Weather Forecast
Smokey Bear
Current National Situation Report
National Interagency Fire Center
Forestry Towers and Forestry Tower Properties