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Uncontrolled Fires Rage at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Blanketing Region in Smoke
Uncontrolled fires at Maryland's Aberdeen Proving Ground military base spread across over 100 acres, blanketing nearby areas in smoke, amid extremely dry conditions and a statewide burn ban.
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES 10.11.2023 Photo by Ann Gonzalez U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command
Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire and Emergency Services in Maryland battled uncontrolled fires on Sunday, as a strong smell of smoke and smoggy conditions enveloped the Route 40 corridor. The fires, burning on the military base's testing ranges, prompted assistance from the National Guard.
According to social media posts, dozens of county residents reported smoky conditions along the Bush River and in neighborhoods stretching from Aberdeen to Edgewood. The Harford County Fire and EMS confirmed the smoke originated from the proving ground and urged residents not to call 911 unless they saw an active fire.
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Aberdeen Proving Ground, a US Army testing facility, spans over 40,000 acres of forest land. A fire that began on Thursday was not fully contained, covering over 100 acres, according to the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company.
Due to unexploded ordnance in the testing area, firefighters cannot safely suppress the fire on the ground. Instead, the proving ground follows a "let it burn" policy unless the situation becomes critical, at which point airborne firefighting measures, such as helicopters with water buckets, may be deployed.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources enacted a statewide burn ban on Friday due to extremely dry conditions. Officials from Aberdeen Proving Ground's fire emergency services did not provide comment.
The ongoing fires and smoky conditions have raised concerns among local residents, who are advised to remain vigilant and report any active fires to authorities.
