EASTON — As the summer’s first major heat wave impacts Maryland this week, fire departments up and down the Eastern Shore are seeing increased activity.
Sonny Jones, fire chief of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, says that hot and dry conditions, along with a lack of rain, create higher risks for fires to catch and spread.
“The common theme we’re seeing this time of year is the lack of moisture content in the ground and vegetation,” Jones said. “When you lower the moisture content of vegetation, it doesn’t take as much for it to catch fire. Especially on dry, windy days, it spreads very rapidly.”
Jones said the department has received multiple calls in recent days for farm-related incidents in which a tractor or combine has caught fire. Wednesday, a fire on Cordova Road began when a combine burned internally, Jones said, adding it was a “very fortunate” outcome.
“Some of them are as a result of farming operations where you have an equipment malfunction and the piece of farm equipment — because of the product that it’s picking — is very, very dry,” he said.
The Easton department has put together an unofficial “farmer’s task force” to help combat fires. Jones said farmers throughout Talbot County have tractors ready to “disc” around a field fire to the blaze from spreading.
“You’re creating a groundbreak between what’s burning and not burning,” he said. It also is important in saving the farmer’s crop, Jones said.
Preston Volunteer Fire Company Fire Chief Robbie Phillips said his team encourages farmers to always have such tractors on hand.
Phillips was on call for a combine fire in Hurlock Thursday afternoon. While he said there were no injuries, the frequency of calls is increasing.
“Along the Mid-Shore area, it’s common to get a couple here and there,” Phillips said. “But it’s something you’re seeing on a daily basis (now).”
EVFD also responded to a call at the Walgreens on the corner of U.S. Route 50 and Dover Road Wednesday. Jones said it was a mulch fire started by a cigarette.
Residentially, charcoal or wood-fire grills and bonfires are susceptible to starting a fire. Jones said just a spark or an ember can be the onset. The fire chief recommends against outdoor fires due to weather conditions.
“As far as burn pits or outdoor campfires, at this point, until we get some rain, I would discourage it,” Jones said. Phillips and Jones both encouraged people to have a garden hose nearby for any open burning.
Rescue Fire Company Fire Chief Adam Pritchett hasn’t seen an uptick in Dorchester County calls yet, but did offer advice for residents with the Fourth of July season approaching.
“Watch for dry grasses, woods, so forth,” Pritchett said about setting off fireworks. “They want to always be away from any type of wood line. And definitely keep a distance from a house.”
Rescue Fire Company reported to a house fire Thursday afternoon on Robbins Street in Cambridge that displaced eight people. Pritchett said it took about 30 firefighters from Talbot and Dorchester volunteer units around one hour to control the fire.
The dangers don’t just extend to farmers and residents. Jones said there is an “increased danger to our personnel” due to the excessive temperatures. His team is working shorter shifts than normal as they often overheat in protective clothing.
The Talbot County Department of Emergency Services has a medical ambulance bus on site that can hold firefighters in air conditioning for relief from the heat. “It requires more manpower, more personnel to respond,” Jones said.
According to Jones, all volunteer fire companies in Talbot County are currently accepting donations of bottled water and Gatorade as the heat wave worsens through this weekend.
The Talbot County Council will hold a special meeting to discuss a burn ban Friday at 1 p.m. If enacted, the ban would prohibit all open burning, such as fireworks and sparklers.
Both Somerset County and Wicomico County enacted burn bans Thursday.
Reporter Maggie Trovato contributed to this story.
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