The Frederick County Health Department announces the annual ban on open burning effective June 1st. Open burning permits cannot be used each year from June 1st through August 31st. This ban does not apply to small recreational fires such as campfires, barbeques or gas grills.

The annual burn ban is required by the Maryland State Air Quality regulations and first went into effect in June 1995. The ban extends throughout the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Region and is designed to reduce the high ozone levels that affect the region during the summer months, allowing for better air quality. The ban is not related to rainfall.

Violations to the open burn ban and open burning without a permit are subject to fines of up to $500 under the Frederick County Code and up to $25,000 under Maryland State Regulations. Burning of household trash or household rubbish is not allowed at any time of the year. For additional information, contact the Community Services Office in the Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 301-600-1717.

Residents are also reminded that they must obtain an open burning permit from the Health Department prior to any open burning during the months when the burn ban is not in effect. For more information on how to obtain a permit, visit the Health Department’s website at Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/BurnPermit.