Brush Fires Plague Maryland Area

March 16, 2006
Officials warn people to avoid any kind of open-air burning

The dry, windy weather this week has fueled a series of brush fires in the Washington area.

Firefighters currently are responding to a large fire in the woods in Anne Arundel County, Md. The fire is along Grover Road near Brightview Drive in Millersville.

WBAL TV in Baltimore reported that authorities suspect the fire began as a camp fire set by a homeless person living in the woods, but the cause is still under investigation. WBAL reported that the fire spans about 60 acres in the Severn Run Natural Environment Area.

There were at least 50 brush fires in Prince George's County, Md., on Wednesday.

But, as of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service had lifted a "red flag" warning for the entire area because the wind is not as strong as it was Wednesday. But fire officials still warn people to avoid any kind of open-air burning and cautioned against smokers throwing lit cigarette butts on the ground.

Firefighters said wind hurt their efforts to battle a large blaze Wednesday on Solomons Island in Calvert County, Md. For more information on that story, click here .

Also, a fire in Prince George's County shut down a portion of Branch Avenue for hours Wednesday afternoon. For more on that story, click here .

Stay with News4 and nbc4.com for more information.

Copyright 2006 by nbc4.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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