SMVFA Highlights Wildfire Trends and Urges Continued Fire Safety Awareness

The Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association is encouraging residents across the region to remain aware of wildfire risks and to practice safe outdoor burning habits following the release of the Maryland Forest Service’s 2025 Annual Wildland Fire Report.

The report, prepared by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service Wildland Fire Program, documented 172 wildfires across Maryland in 2025, burning a total of 8,166.7 acres. Southern Maryland accounted for 29 of those fires, with 84.9 acres burned throughout the region.

While the Eastern Region accounted for the majority of the state’s burned acreage, the Southern Maryland numbers remain an important reminder that wildland fires are not limited to rural or heavily forested areas. In Southern Maryland, the report identified 70.5 acres of forestland burned and 14.4 acres of non-forest land burned during 2025.

For local volunteer fire departments, even smaller brush and woods fires can require a significant response. Crews may be called to operate in difficult terrain, establish water supply in areas without hydrants, protect nearby homes and outbuildings, and coordinate with neighboring departments and the Maryland Forest Service. These incidents often occur during dry, windy conditions when fire can move quickly through leaves, grass, brush, and wooded areas.

Statewide, debris burning was the leading reported cause of wildfires in 2025, accounting for 74 fires and 152.4 acres burned. The report also listed equipment use, campfires, smoking materials, lightning, children, railroad activity, arson, and miscellaneous causes among the documented ignition sources.

The Maryland Forest Service data shows that March was the most active month for wildfire starts, with 81 fires reported statewide. March also accounted for 5,122.2 acres burned, followed by February with 22 fires and 2,904.4 acres burned. The monthly data reinforces the increased fire danger often seen in late winter and early spring, when vegetation can dry out before new seasonal growth appears.

“Wildfire prevention begins long before the fire department is called,” the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association said. “Residents can make a real difference by checking local burn regulations, avoiding outdoor burning on windy days, and never leaving any fire unattended.”

The Association also reminds residents that outdoor fires should always be kept small and manageable, located away from structures and wooded areas, and fully extinguished before being left. Ashes from fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits, and grills should be placed in a metal container with a lid and kept away from decks, porches, garages, and other combustible materials.

Property owners can also reduce risk by clearing leaves, pine needles, brush, and other dry vegetation from around homes, sheds, fences, decks, and wood piles. Maintaining defensible space around structures gives firefighters more room to work and can help slow the spread of fire during an emergency.

The Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association extends its appreciation to the volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, Maryland Forest Service staff, and mutual aid partners who support wildfire and emergency response throughout the region.

Residents are encouraged to follow their local volunteer fire department and the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association for fire safety information, community updates, recruitment opportunities, and ways to support the volunteer fire and rescue service.