Embers from a fire in a fire pit barrel caused the lawn of a home to burn Wednesday afternoon in the Preble County village of New Paris.

Dry weather led to the quick spead of the blaze, which firefighters contained just before it reached taller grass and a nearby barn. About one-fourth of the yard burned. 

The woman who was using the 55-gallon fire drum pit told News Center 7 she often uses it to burn debris, and has never experienced a spreading fire. She was treated at the scene for smoke inhilation.

Several area cities and counties are issuing warnings against outdoor burns in light of the dry, hot weather, which could aid in quickly spreading fire.

Officials do not know what caused a grass fire on Georgetown Verona Road just east of Ohio 503 Wednesday afternoon. About 25 firefighters battled the grass fire. Fortunately the wind actually helped the fire fighters prevented the fire from crossing a ditch to get to a field. It was contained within about an hour. No one injured.

One mile north, on Darke-Preble County Line Road, about 15 firefighters fought another grass fire that covered about a half-acre. It was put out in just under an hour.