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With the increasing temperatures and poor quality of air The Charles County Department of Health Environmental Services Division reminds all Charles County residents that there is a ban on open burning. Open burning is defined as a fire where any material is burned in the open or in a receptacle other than a furnace, incinerator, or other equipment connected to a stack or chimney. It also includes other fires such as campfires.   Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

The following items may not be burned at any time:

•Household trash

•Tires

•Construction debris

•Asphalt shingles and tar paper

•Leaves, lawn thatch, and garden trimmings

•Brush and other plant life (except certain agricultural materials)

Aside from the obvious smoke produced during a fire, burning also produces ground level ozone which

can cause health problems; respiratory and other. For more information call the Charles

County Department of Health Environmental Health Division at 301-609-6751 or visit the Maryland

Department of the Environment website at:

http://www.mde.slate.md.us/nrograms/Land/SolidWaste/Pages/Programs/LandPrograms/Solid Waste/in dex.aspx