March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 39 F

Chemical Odor, Haze From VA Swamp Fire Envelops Anne Arundel County

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UPDATE 08/13/2011: It’s baack.  Please read below for details. We will pin this post to the main page as the smoky smell and haze is causing such concern across the County.

UPDATE: We just spoke with Division Chief Michael Cox of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. He advised that the Maryland Emergency Management Agency has issued a bulletin advising that due to a wind shift, smoke will be in the area through at least nightfall. Chief Cox stressed, “people need to be aware of the smoke conditions, but if they feel there is a fire, they need to call 911.” While local authorities in Virginia have issued air quality warnings near the fire, none have been issued yet for our area.

UPDATE: From Tony Spencer, the PIO for the Annapolis Fire Department, there is nothing in Annapolis; however, they received an alert about the fire in Virginia earlier this morning.

This morning, we received several reports of a haze and a chemical odor in the area of the Annapolis City Dock and along Back Creek. Before long, reports from Deale, Southern Maryland, Arnold, and Edgewater came in with the same complaints.

Currently we have asked the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and the Annapolis Fire Department if they have any information, but have not received a response.

Speculation is that this may be due to a wind shift and a large swamp fire in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.  Currently the fire is burning out of control and has enveloped more than 2,500 acres.

Local authorities in Virginia have issued respiratory warnings to local residents.

We have not heard of any precautions Anne Arundel residents should take, but please stay tuned as we learn more.

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