MARS — Borough council Monday night approved a temporary ban on open burning, upon the request of Adams Area Fire District Fire Chief Tim Llewellyn.

Llewellyn sent an email to municipalities covered by the fire district — Adams Township, Mars Borough, Seven Fields and Valencia Borough — Sunday following a grass fire that occurred in a residential development along Valley Brook Drive in Adams Township.

Llewellyn indicated in his email that Adams Township and Callery Borough fire companies responded to the fire call, which resulted after a resident burned yard waste in the Homeowners Association's common space fire ring.

Llewellyn said the fire was only controlled quickly because residents took action themselves and started a bucket brigade before fire companies arrived. About three-quarters of an acre of common space was burned, according to the email. There were no injuries.

Citing data from the U.S. Forest Service and extreme dry weather, Llewellyn suggested a temporary ban would prevent unnecessary open burning and lessen the potential of grass fires. Llewellyn suggested municipal leaders revisit the ban every 14 days to see if conditions change.

“It is dry,” said Michael Fleming, borough president. “I think it's a reasonable request, personally.”

Councilman William Lambert asked how Adams Township planned to share the information and any updates moving forward with residents.

“How are (we) going to get it out to the public?” Lambert asked.

Council members said the information could be posted on the borough website and Facebook page.

Councilman Robert Bost said he was already notified via phone that the fire district recommends residents refrain from burning. Council determined the public notification system CodeRED would be useful for getting the information out.

Council unanimously approved the ban. It will be revisited at the first borough meeting in August, per a 14-day review.