Firefighters are battling brush fire Wednesday afternoon along I-695 in the Essex area of Baltimore County.
Traffic on the the Baltimore Beltway was closed in both directions between exits 36 and 38, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department. No injuries have been reported.
BRUSH FIRE area of I695 inner loop bet 36-38 #GoldenRing. Crews on scene of brush fire with several hot spots. Train systems in the area were temporarily halted and being resumed. I695 closed in both directions. No injuries reported. DT1510 *TA pic.twitter.com/8Ip62Txowd
— Baltimore County Fire Department (@BaltCoFire) April 12, 2023
Fire crews said two brush fires covered 8 to 10 acres along the Amtrak and CSX train tracks.
Train service was shut down for a little over an hour.
UPDATE As of 5:28pm ET: All tracks north of Baltimore (BAL) are now restored. Rail service will now resume. Trains operating between WAS and PHL should expect delays due to rail congestion.
— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNECAlerts) April 12, 2023
In Anne Arundel County, several acres of brush caught fire near Crownsville, closing River Road, according to a report in The Capital. The fire was contained by 4:30 p.m. but continued spraying water in areas that may be smoldering, a department spokesperson told the newspaper.
A Red Flag Warning was issued Wednesday for much of Maryland as gusty winds and low humidity are in the forecast.
The warning is in effect from noon through 8 p.m. for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Carroll counties, along with other parts of Central and Western Maryland.
The National Weather Service said a Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect until 8pm for areas along & north of I-66/US-50. Sustained west winds of 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph & minimum RH of 20-30% will yield quick fire spread. Areas not highlighted in the warning have an elevated threat as well. #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/V2E6lZO93Z
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 12, 2023
A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, the agency said.
Just last week, 700 acres were razed and residents were evacuated after a massive brush fire in Owings Mills.
The NWS said residents should prepare by listening for later forecasts and warnings.
WJZ is a media partner of The Baltimore Banner.
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