Hot Spots From Brush Fire At Aberdeen Proving Ground Continue To Be Monitored

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD — Hot spots from Sunday's brush fire that spread within the testing area of Aberdeen Proving Ground continue to be monitored Monday. The Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Department shared Sunday that it was fighting multiple unplanned range fires.

Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire, Aberdeen Test Center and the Maryland National Guard stated Monday that smoke can be visible across multiple counties. However, there is no threat to those communities and the smoke will dissipate as the day passes by, APG officials said.

"APG personnel are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of personnel, residents and the surrounding communities," APG leaders said.

On Sunday, the Aberdeen Fire Department asked residents to stop calling in suspicious fires as they were being flooded with phone calls about the same fires burning at APG.

"Please help us by refraining from calling in smoke investigation reports unless you see active flames or an immediate fire hazard. Unnecessary calls strain our resources and may delay responses to other emergencies, the AFD said Sunday.

The following message was sent to Harford County residents along the Route 40 corridor Sunday afternoon by the Harford County Department of Emergency Services:

“The Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire and Emergency Services are actively managing a large brush fire that is producing visible smoke throughout the area. Please be advised that there is no immediate threat and refrain from calling 911 for smoke investigations unless there is an immediate fire hazard or visible flames. Thank you for helping to keep our emergency lines open for urgent situations.”

A Code Orange air quality alert is in effect for Maryland due to wildfires that are burning across the state. Maryland enacted a statewide ban on outdoor, open air burning Nov. 1. Campfires and charcoal grills are not allowed until further notice.

Officials noted that the state has seen an “above average number of wildfires” and the dry, windy conditions the state is experiencing are not expected to change in the immediate future. Dried out fallen leaves are adding to the risk.