Maryland faces many natural threats. Among them are wildfires. In fact, wildfires are a common occurrence in Maryland also known as the Old-Line State. In a state with a total land mass of 6.2 million acres (2.5 hectares), of which around 2.5 million acres (1 hectare) are forest land or wildland or 40% of Maryland, perhaps this isn’t too surprising.
Maryland Wildfire Profile
While wildfires in Maryland that make the headlines may blaze through hundreds or even thousands of acres, most wildfires in the Old Line State are small and burn through less than 10 acres (4 hectares), according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. However, these small wildfires can still threaten, damage, or destroy many people and their homes.
- Maryland Wildfire Season
While wildfires can occur in any month throughout the year in Maryland, incidents peak in the spring and fall. With trees having shed their leaves, the forest floor is littered with ample potential fuel, which becomes dry due to the dry wind and sunlight reaching the ground layer. These conditions can facilitate the ignition and rapid spread of wildfires.
Fortunately, most wildfires in the state are surface fires, which only burns through forest floor litter, low-lying vegetation, and other small debris below the canopy level. In other words, these surface fires only spread along the surface of the ground and typically leave larger trees intact.
In addition, the state rarely experiences active crown fires as well. These types of wildfires blaze through the tree canopy. However, when Maryland experiences an especially very dry or windy weather, crown fires can occur in dense clumps or clusters of evergreen trees.
- Wildland-Urban Interface
Wildland-urban interface is a zone, line, or area of transition between unoccupied or undeveloped wildland and human development. In other words, it is where houses meet or intermingle with wilderness, which have ample vegetative fuels.
According to the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, it is estimated that between 15% and 30% homes in the state exist within this WUI area or zone. Most of these WUIs can be found outside cities, but with more and more people building their homes in or near wildland areas, the risk of WUI wildfires also increases.
Maryland Wildfire Statistics
In an average year, the Maryland Forest Service responds to an average of 123 wildfires burning through more than 1,780 acres (720 hectares) of forest, brush, and grasses. Meanwhile, the state’s fire departments deal with more than 5,000 wildfire incidents annually.
2024 Maryland Wildfire Figures
The most recent Annual Wildland Fire Report by the Maryland Forest Service as of this writing discusses the state’s wildfire scenario in 2024. According to the report, there were 165 wildfires in the Old Line State in 2024, which burned through 953.4 acres (385.8 hectares).
The table below breaks down this figure by month.
Table 1. 2024 Maryland Wildfires by Month
| Month | Number of Wildfires | Area Burned |
| January | 2 | 0.1 acre (0.04hectare) |
| February | 9 | 578.8 acres (234.2 hectares) |
| March | 27 | 57.7 acres (23.35 hectares) |
| April | 20 | 43.8 acres (17.7 hectares) |
| May | 2 | 5.1 acres (2 hectares) |
| June | 8 | 84.7 acres (34.3 hectares) |
| July | 9 | 13 acres (5.3 hectares) |
| August | 4 | 8.3 acres (3.36 hectares) |
| September | 10 | 10 acres (4 hectares) |
| October | 24 | 68.7 acres (27.8 hectares) |
| November | 37 | 46.8 acres (18.9 hectares) |
| December | 14 | 36.4 acres (14.7 hectares) |
Source: Maryland Forest Service’s 2024 Annual Wildland Fire Report
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the wildfires in October and November 2024 were “more than twice the average” but are still considered “relatively small.” These fall months saw drought and high fire risk weather conditions, but an outdoor burn ban helped minimize the frequency of wildfire ignitions.
“The statewide burn ban in fall 2024 was a critical tool to minimize damage that threatened to be much worse,” said Chris Robertson, State Fire Supervisor for the Maryland Forest Service.
2024 Wildfires Vs. Maryland’s 10-Year Average
The number of wildfires was “much higher” than the state’s 10-year average, although the area burned was significantly lower. Here’s how the 2024 wildfires in Maryland compared with the state’s 10-year average:
Table 2. 2024 Wildfire Statistics vs. 10-Year Average
| Number of Wildfires | Area Burned | |
| 2024 | 165 | 953.4 acres (385.8 hectares) |
| 10-Year Average | 118.7 | 1,356.2 acres (548.8 hectares) |
Source: Maryland Forest Service’s 2024 Annual Wildland Fire Report
Common Causes of Wildfires in Maryland
In the Old-Line State, the no. 1 cause of wildfires is improper debris or outdoor burning. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, debris burning ignites an average of 35% of wildfires in the state annually.
Arson accounts for around 30% of wildfire ignitions. It is the second leading cause of wildfires in Maryland. Equipment use, children playing with fire, smoking, and campfires round out the 96% of wildfires caused by humans.
The only natural cause of wildfires in the state is lightning, which represents only 4% of wildfires in Maryland. Other miscellaneous causes of wildfire ignitions include downed power lines, fireworks, and discarded ashes. This accounts for 31% of wildfires in the state.
Table 3. Wildfires and Area Burned by Causes in 2024
| Cause | Number of Wildfires | Area Burned |
| Lightning | 4 | 2.8 acres (1.1 hectares) |
| Campfire | 15 | 22.9 acres (9.3 hectares) |
| Smoking | 1 | 0.1 acre (0.04 hectare) |
| Debris burning | 49 | 48.9 acres (19.8 hectares) |
| Arson | 33 | 668.3 acres (247.45 hectares) |
| Equipment use | 26 | 129.1 acres (52.2 hectares) |
| Children | 6 | 8.5 acres (3.4 hectares) |
| Miscellaneous | 31 | 72.8 acres (29.5 hectares) |
| Total | 165 | 953.4 acres (385.8 hectares) |
Source: Maryland Forest Service’s 2024 Annual Wildland Fire Report
Maryland’s Wildfire Reality: Risk and Responsibility
Wildfires are a consistent and significant part of Maryland. It has shaped the state’s landscape and how residents live. While many may not grab headlines, wildfires are still a real risk, especially during the peak spring and fall seasons.
With most of these wildfires being caused by humans or human activities, it is important that Marylanders practice responsible debris burning, maintain defensible spaces, and stay alert during dry spells. The power to protect your home and the state’s millions of acres of forest is in your hands.
