Harford County, Maryland
Open burning is currently prohibited in Harford county.
What this means
- Open burning of yard waste, brush and debris
- Trash and vegetation burning of any kind
- Warming fires and unattended fires outdoors
- Small cooking fires (grill, camp stove)
Penalties in Maryland
Under COMAR 08.03.12.24, violating Maryland's forest-fire and open-burning regulations is a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Natural Resources Article §10-1101 — up to $1,500 for a first offense, and up to $4,000, up to 1 year in jail, or both, for a second or subsequent offense within 2 years.
Classification: Misdemeanor · Maximum fine: up to $1,500 for a first offense; up to $4,000 and 1 year in jail for a second offense within 2 years
Sources & audit log
| Checked | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Maryland Department of Natural Resources ↗ | status: Burn Ban in Effect |
Neighbouring counties
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Still legal during a ban
None of these are a way around Harford county's restriction — they're what stays legal regardless of it: contained burning, screened fire pits, and basic fire safety gear. Always confirm locally before burning anything.
Contained burn barrels
A lidded, spark-arrestor barrel keeps debris burning contained rather than as open burning — check your county's rules, since some bans cover any outdoor fire regardless of containment.
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Most burn bans target open debris burning, not a screened recreational fire pit — but always confirm locally, since some restrictions cover any outdoor flame.
Fire extinguishers
Always worth having on hand near any permitted fire, ban or no ban.
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by Maryland Department of Natural Resources and reports them unchanged. Cities and municipalities within Harford county may impose stricter rules than the county order. Water districts and state forestry rules may add further restrictions. When an order is ambiguous or the source cannot be reached, we show Unconfirmed instead of guessing a status. The county's own posted order governs.
Common questions
Is Harford county under a burn ban right now?
Yes. Harford county is currently under a burn ban issued by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Open burning is prohibited until the order is lifted.
When did the Harford burn ban start?
The exact start date is not carried in the source feed. We started tracking this ban at Aug 21, 2026.
What can I still burn in Harford county during this ban?
During a burn ban, small cooking fires (grills, camp stoves) typically remain allowed. Open burning of yard waste, brush, debris, and trash is prohibited. Consult the county order or fire marshal for exceptions — some jurisdictions permit specific commercial activities.
How do I report an illegal fire in Harford county?
Call 911 for any fire that is out of control or threatens property. For a non-emergency burn-ban violation, you can also reach Office of the State Fire Marshal — Arson Hotline at 1-800-492-7529 (for reporting suspected arson; call 911 for an active wildfire), or contact the Harford Sheriff's Office.