UPDATE: The fire has been contained after firefighters worked through the night to put it out. The scene was cleared around 2:30 p.m. Two outbuildings were destroyed, and a survey conducted by the Fire and Emergency Management team found no serious damage to homes.
#update #owingsmills WILDFIRE | CMD reports fire contained. Crews worked through the night to limit the spread of fire and continue to put out hot spots. Previous road closures remain in effect. #bcofd TF pic.twitter.com/Z3RPXWRJE1
— Baltimore County Fire Department (@BaltCoFire) April 5, 2023
ORIGINAL STORY:
Baltimore County fire crews are on the scene of a large wildfire at Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area.
The fire has been classified as eight-alarm and it can be seen in the area of Deer Park Road and Berryman's Lane.
This is Baltimore County's largest fire event since the 1970s- era Suburban Propane explosion and fire in Upperco.
Officials said drivers can expect delays on Wards Chapel Road and Deer Park Road.
200 firefighters from across the region are on the scene to assist with containing the fire.
Assisting agencies included those from Carroll, Howard, Harford, Anne Arundel, Frederick counties and Baltimore City.
The following roads have also been closed:
- Deer Park Road and Dolfield Road
- Deer Park Road and Wards Chapel Road
- Deer Park Road and Berrysman Lane
An evacuation order has been issued to 29 homes in the area according to Fire Lieutenant Travis Francis.
"This is unprecedented, it brings over 200 firefighters from across the region very quickly here and they're hiking through trails and wildland here trying to extinguish this fire," said Francis.
The evacuation site is Franklin High School.
At its height, columns of flame extended hundreds of feet in the air.
Disaster workers from the Red Cross joined to help with the evacuation efforts.
Dozens of Owings Mills residents are currently seeking safe shelter from a large brush fire that forced them from their homes. Right now, trained disaster workers from the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Red Cross region are working alongside Baltimore County Emergency Management officials to ensure those impacted have a safe place to stay, food, water and essential emotional support.
In the days and weeks to come, volunteer team members will continue to work with the nearly 30 households impacted to provide additional recovery resources and help those affected get on the road to recovery.
All Red Cross assistance is free and those with disaster-caused needs should call 1-800-Red Cross for support.
The majority of the burn area is in Soldier's Delight, extending east to Church Road and Campitelli Court.
There are no injuries to report.
The press conference with more details can be found below:
