The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning on Saturday, March 1, 2025. A red flag warning is a weather alert indicating that conditions are ideal for wildfires, characterized by low humidity, strong winds, and dry vegetation. This warning signals a high risk of rapidly spreading fires within the next 24 hours. Weather warnings continued into Sunday, March 2 with moderate winds and low humidity.

The Gamber & Community Fire Co. was alerted for two brush and field fires on Saturday. The first was at 1:06 pm and located in the 2600 block of Bollinger Mill Road in Finksburg near the Liberty Reservoir watershed. Gamber and Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department units responded with Chief 13, Chad Hastings assuming command. This fire was due to discarded fireplace ashes and impacted an approximate area of 60 feet x 20 feet.

The second incident was dispatched at 2:21 pm and located in the 2700 block of Deer Park Road in Finksburg also near the Liberty Reservoir watershed. A homeowner was burning sticks in a burn pit. This resulted in one acre involved in fire. Both fires were contained before spreading.

Photos by Firefighter Brendan Gable and Chief Chad Hastings