16 Fires In 4-Hour Period Sparked On Red Flag Warning Day

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — On Saturday, Harford County was one of several Maryland counties under a red flag warning, meaning dry conditions and gusty winds were more likely to contribute to the rapid spread of fires.

According to the National Weather Service, the warning targeted Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Mary's, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties. Forecasters said the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures could contribute to "extreme fire behavior" and cause any grass or brush fires to quickly spread out of control.

The Harford County Fire and Rescue Services reported 16 brush, field and woods fires in a four-hour period that day.

One fire that broke out in a field and wooded area covering a quarter of an acre was battled in the 2900 block of Conowingo Road around 4:16 p.m. Another fire was reported around 4:34 p.m. in the 1300 block of Boggs Road that was linked to downed wires that sparked a fire in the woods.