LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) recognizes the concerns raised by residents regarding smoke emanating from a large burning mulch pile located near Lawrence Hayden Road and Huckleberry Way in the Hollywood area. We empathize with the impact this issue is having on our community and want to provide an update on actions taken.

SMCG’s Department of Emergency Services (DES) is actively working with multiple partners to address this issue, who have provided the following updates for our residents:

• The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) is actively working with the property owner, who is fully cooperative, to address the situation. Today, they will begin pumping water from a nearby pond onto the burning areas.
  • Residents should be aware that this operation may temporarily increase smoke in the area. While the solution may take multiple weeks to extinguish the fire completely, it is expected to significantly reduce the overall timeline and impact, as the pile could otherwise burn for months if left unaddressed.
  • To minimize the smoke impact on residents, these operations will be conducted during times of day when barometric pressure is lowest, allowing smoke to rise more effectively. However, residents should note that weather conditions and times of higher pressure may result in smoke lying lower in the area.
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service personnel have conducted a risk analysis at the site. At present, there is no threat of fire spread to nearby forested land, but the pile will be monitored as weather conditions and drying may increase potential risks.    
• St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has issued a Local Health Alert Notice providing guidance on protective health actions for residents affected by smoke. Residents can access this alert at https://smchd.org/2025/01/local-health-alert-air-quality-in-the-hollywood-area. For real-time, local outdoor air quality data and resources, please visit SMCHD’s Air Quality Dashboard at: https://smchd.org/breathewell.
• The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is monitoring the situation and encourages affected residents, especially sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, to limit outdoor activities.
• State Fire Marshal’s Office: The Fire Marshal is aware of the situation but does not have regulatory authority or a response role in this matter.

The fire is consistent with spontaneous combustion of present materials, as opposed to a permitted open-air burn. The facility did not have an active permit for open-air burning when the fire began, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The location, organic composition, and size of the pile have made it difficult to address with standard methods. Additionally, inspection of the pile has confirmed that the burning materials are organic in nature (Class A materials) and do not include hazardous substances.

SMCG remains committed to keeping residents informed and ensuring collaborative efforts to address this situation. Residents are encouraged to follow SMCHD’s health guidance and monitor updates through our official communication channels.