Officials hope rain helps to quell fires

State and local fire and forestry officials hope today's anticipated rain will provide respite from a rash of brush and woods fires taxing the endurance of Maryland firefighters.

Volunteers in Carroll County have battled more than 20 brush and woods fires since Monday. That includes assisting with fires in Frederick and Howard counties and southern Pennsylvania.

Alan Zentz, state fire supervisor for the forestry division of the Department of Natural Resources, said yesterday that breezy conditions have been optimum for wildfires since Monday.

Carroll fire officials reported 13 brush and woods fires between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. yesterday, including a 10-acre blaze that began about 11: 30 a.m. in the Marriottsville area of Howard County on Henryton Road near Patapsco Valley State Park and raged for four hours.

Pub Date: 4/01/99