If you felt like it was a particularly dry fall in and around Maryland, it wasn’t your imagination: 2024 was a historically dry season for much of the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US, with drought or near-drought conditions prompting open burn bans to prevent wildfires. As these mandates become more common, it’s important to know what they mean to you as a homeowner.
Wildfire Risk is Rising Where You Least Expect It
Maryland was one of several states along the East Coast subject to state- or county-mandated burn bans during some portion of the fall 2024 season. With many eastern cities seeing a lack of measurable rain for 40 days or more—setting records in many cases—the conditions were ripe for wildfires.
Wildfires are often associated with the western US, but the fact is they can occur anywhere. According to Wildfire Today, climate change is fueling more fire weather days in many areas of the country, characterized by warm, dry, windy conditions that raise the risk of fire. During autumn, falling leaves exacerbate these fire-prone conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called the fall 2024 drought “historic,” noting that 48 states experienced some degree of drought, representing the most in their Drought Monitor history.
In Maryland specifically, the Forest Service had already responded to more than 24 wildfires in October, which had burned 75 acres—more than three times the 10-year average for the month. With October precipitation less than 25 percent of the monthly average, and below-normal rainfall expected to persist, the state found it prudent to take action to protect both human life and property and preserve the state’s natural resources.
As a result, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued a statewide ban on open-air burning, which went into effect on November 1 and was subsequently lifted on November 21. Maryland burn bans prohibit campfires, charcoal grilling, and any other burning done out in the open or in a receptacle other than a furnace, incinerator, or other equipment connected to a stack or chimney. Even though the ban was lifted, state officials noted conditions remained dry and discouraged residents from engaging in open burning unless absolutely necessary and to use extreme caution when doing so.
How to Protect Your Home from Wildfires
With or without a burn ban, as the number of fire weather days rises in Maryland and the surrounding states, local homeowners face a greater risk of wildfires reaching their property. With Maryland's wildfire risk rising, it’s wise to take proactive steps to protect your home.
One of the main causes of wildfire damage is when embers become airborne and enter homes through exterior vents. Any type of vegetation, such as a piece of bark or a twig, can become a flying ember that ignites your home from the inside or sets fire to debris around your home’s exterior. Once airborne, these materials can travel for a mile or more, which greatly increases the risk to the surrounding area.
One of the most effective ways to avoid the risk of flying embers is to install ember-resistant vents that use mesh, louvers, and other features to keep out combustible materials while still providing necessary air circulation.
These additional best practices can help reduce your risk and help protect your home from a variety of sources of wildfire risk.
- Create a more fire-resistant perimeter around your home by trimming trees and removing deadwood and debris.
- Keep your gutters free of leaves, pine needles, and other flammable debris.
- Seal any gaps around your eaves or windows.
- Don’t store highly flammable materials directly around or near your home. This includes stacked firewood, mulch, and certain types of plants.
- Replace loose or missing roof tiles or shingles to mitigate points of entry for embers.
- When it’s time to replace your roof or siding, select fire-resistant materials. Concrete or clay tiles, metal, and slate are among the roofing options that could reduce your risk, while brick, stucco, and fiber cement are common siding choices.
- If you’re looking to replace or add an outdoor living space, consider a concrete or slate patio instead of a wood deck.
- Consider installing a sprinkler system in your home.
Note that the above recommendations are designed for homes in regions with moderate exposure to wildfires. If you live in an area where major wildfires happen frequently and tend to consume thousands of acres, you should consult with your independent insurance advisor or insurance company to learn about more extensive measures to reduce your fire risk. The National Interagency Fire Center also offers recommendations for preparing and protecting your home from wildfires and suggests other resources.
Regardless of where you live or own property, always have an evacuation plan in the event of a fire, ideally with multiple exit options.
Partner with B. F. Saul Insurance to Protect Your Assets
As an independent insurance advisor, B. F. Saul Insurance keeps current on the changing insurance landscape and helps you stay informed of trends that could place your home or other assets at risk. Our personal insurance specialists understand the climate-related and macroeconomic factors impacting today’s homeowners and how to protect what you value with proper insurance and risk management.
Contact B. F. Saul Insurance to learn how an independent insurance advisor can help protect your home, vehicles, and other assets.
Lanie Raphael is a seasoned insurance professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry, with experience in both commercial and high-net-worth insurance. Throughout her career, Lanie has held executive-level roles at prominent insurance companies such as Fireman's Fund, AIG, and ACE Private Risk Service in a variety of disciplines including risk management, product development, operations, and marketing. In the past decade, she transitioned to the independent agency side, assuming leadership roles that involved direct client interaction and working closely with referral sources. As president, she is responsible for leading all aspects of financial reporting and budgeting, business development, and executive recruiting at B. F. Saul Insurance.