Ban on open burning lifted in Upper Allen Township!

The ban on open burning in Upper Allen Township, which was put in place on November 6th, 2024, was lifted by the Upper Allen Township Fire Marshal on Friday, Nov. 29.

The Upper Allen Fire Chief Tom Shumberger Jr. asks you to remain vigilant when conducting such fires.

When open burning, follow these safety tips to protect your and others’ health and safety and to prevent wildfires:

~Be mindful of your neighbors and surroundings to ensure the burning is not impacting others.
To reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released, use electric (windproof) lighters, charcoal chimneys, or newspapers for ignition instead of charcoal lighter fluid.
~Never use gasoline to start or fuel a fire.
~Gasoline is highly volatile and can explode and spread flames quickly upon lighting, which can cause serious or fatal injuries to people and animals and damage property.
~Never burn recently cut green wood that still has internal moisture or damp wood. Moisture interferes with combustion, and burning green or damp wood will produce more smoke and fewer flames.
~Always make sure fires are completely extinguished before leaving the area. Drown all embers, charcoal briquettes, and ash with water. Turn them over with a shovel, drown them again, and repeat the process until embers and ashes are completely cold. If water is not available, use dirt or sand to stir into and cool ashes.
Never put hot coals or ash from an extinguished fire into a trash can where the embers could ignite the trash, causing uncontrolled flames, serious injury, or property damage.

Burn Ban in Effect

Upper Allen Township currently has a burn ban in effect until November 25, 2024.

The ban prohibits the ignition and burning of any combustible materials outdoors, including but not limited to: garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, and debris from land clearing.

This applies to all types of outdoor fires, such as those in burn barrels, fire pits, campfires, bonfires, or directly on the ground.

Tractor Trailer Fire on the PA Turnpike

Yesterday around 2pm, UAFD and mutual aid companies were dispatched for a tractor trailer fire on the Turnpike which temporarily shut down the roadway. Chief 223, Squad, Tanker, and Engine 23, and units from 33 (New Kingstown) responded. The fire spread to the grassy area behind America’s Auto Auction. Companies 29 (Mechanicsburg), 25 (Monroe), 24 (Lisburn) and Traffic 23 were then dispatched to that location.

While still operating at the Turnpike call, around 6pm a box alarm for smoke in the building was dispatched at Messiah Village. Chief 123, Engine, Truck, Traffic, and Squad 23 (coming from the TT fire) along with mutual aid units arrived to find plastic Tupperware that had been left on an electric stove on the 2nd floor. Units vented the floor and then Squad 23 and 29 units returned back to the TT fire to finish cleaning up.

As always, UAFD and its Officers would like to thank our mutual aid partners in Mechanicsburg, Monroe, Lisburn, Lower Allen, New Kingstown, and Penn State EMS for assisting us!

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

This evening, 5 UAFD members participated in the 9/11 Memorial stair climb in honor of the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on this day 23 years ago. 110 stories is equivalent to 2,200 stairs! This event was hosted by Planet Fitness (Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg location).

Great job Grace, Lexy, Brandon, Aiden and Talen!