ADAMS TWP — Adams supervisors Monday night extended the temporary burning ban several municipalities under Adams Area Fire District have had in place the past few weeks.

The move came moments after Adams Area Fire District Chief Tim Llewellyn shared how fires affect volunteer firefighters — especially when companies ask communities to adhere to a burn ban.

The ban, according to Llewellyn, was first put into effect following a yard waste burn that got out of control in a housing development last month.

“Thankfully, it was a Sunday afternoon,” Llewellyn said. “The neighbors came out with garden houses and buckets of water.”

If the fire had occurred during the work week, Llewellyn said several houses probably would have been jeopardized. Millions of dollars in damages might have resulted, he said.

“Because one individual wanted to burn some grass,” Llewellyn said.

Llewellyn said he didn't blame the resident. However, he said doing it during a time of low rainfall is inconsiderate and dangerous.

Llewellyn said while he was on vacation last weekend, the fire district responded to a call on Aiken Lane after a resident was “confused about the burn ban” and started a fire.

“Prevailing weather conditions and the dry grass quickly let that fire escape his pit,” Llewellyn said. “The fire left the surface, traveled across the grass and burned down two of his sheds as well as threatened his garage.”

Llewellyn said similarly, a fire in a residential Cranberry Township area a few weeks ago required assistance from several fire companies.

“Again, volunteer firefighters leaving their homes and families to go out and take care of somebody's needs,” Llewellyn said. “I take it kind of personally.”

Llewellyn said the fire district is recommending the burn ban continue indefinitely for the municipalities under its jurisdiction.

The fire district is monitoring the area's dry weather status as defined by the U.S. Forest Service, according to Llewellyn.

“It is pretty dry right now,” said Russell Ford, chairman of the supervisors. “We should revisit this at our next meeting.”

The board unanimously approved the burn ban extension. It will be reviewed at the Aug. 24 meeting.