Bel Air Field Goes Up in Flames, Wildfire Warning Issued

Firefighters from several companies responded to a blaze in Bel Air Saturday afternoon that spread in a wooded area near residences, according to emergency officials.

Preliminary investigation indicates the fire started in a building in the 1100 block of Timberlea Drive, Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS officials said. From there, it spread into a garage and the woods, according to the report.

The fire was near Red Pump Elementary, Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company reported.

"Several homes were threatened by the rapidly advancing fire," according to Rich Gardiner of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. Gardiner said there were multiple acres involved, and nobody was injured.

Dry conditions and strong winds made it challenging to contain the blaze, Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS officials reported at approximately 4:45 p.m.

According to the report, crews from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company, Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company and Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department were cleaning up the scene around 5:30 p.m.

The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal was called to investigate.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement just before 5 p.m. Saturday advising against any open burning in Maryland, northern and central Virginia and eastern West Virginia.

Low humidity, winds between 20 to 25 mph and dry surfaces enhance the threat for the spread of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service. Winds will die down around sunset, the weather service reported.