<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="5-720" title_number="5" title_name="Forests and Parks" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Burning ban” means a complete ban on all open air burning that is declared by the Secretary or the Governor as a result of prolonged or unusual conditions conducive to the easy starting and spread of fire.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Open air burning” means 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.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Public officer” means:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The authorized agents of the Department; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Any police officer who is authorized to enforce the laws of the State or of a political subdivision of the State.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not start or allow open air burning in an area in which a burning ban imposed by the Secretary or the Governor is in effect.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>This subsection does not apply to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The supervised burning of buildings or solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels conducted under the direct control and supervision of qualified instructors at a training center operated by a fire department; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Any other supervised burning conducted under the direct control and supervision of:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Qualified fire instructors; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>In Wicomico County, Worcester County, or Somerset County, a fire chief, captain, or fire line officer of a fire department that has jurisdiction over the area where the supervised burning occurs.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>On reasonable suspicion of open air burning on privately owned property in an area in which a burning ban is in effect, a public officer may enter on the privately owned property of any person to extinguish the fire or to enforce the provisions of this section.</text>
  </level>
</section>
