Over seven days, Langford Fire Rescue responded to seven fires that were lit by improperly discarded cigarette butts.
The Langford fire department issued the reminder on Twitter, calling on smokers to ensure their cigarette butts and smoking materials are properly disposed of.
One of the seven fires was on a balcony, that the fire department says could have spread to multiple townhomes if not caught quickly.
“As a reminder, gardens, planters, flower pots, combustible containers, etc are for plants, trees, flowers and NOT cigarette butts,” the Twitter post says.
As a reminder, gardens, planters, flower pots, combustible containers, etc are for plants, trees, flowers and NOT cigarette butts.
— Langford Fire Rescue (@LangfordFire) May 22, 2023
The department is also reminding people that it gives away free reusable pocket ashtrays so smokers have a place to safely dispose of butts when out of the home.
Langford Fire still provides free reusable pocket ashtrays. This past week we attended 7 preventable fires all caused by improperly discarded smoking materials (Butts). https://t.co/hXbQfkhbxc
— Langford Fire Rescue (@LangfordFire) May 22, 2023
This reminder comes at a time when fire bans have been issued across the province due to the dry conditions and increasing fire risk.
On May 21, most of Vancouver Island is at a moderate fire risk level.
Moderate fire risk means potential fire fuels in forests are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting, according to the province.
So far this fire season, there have been 307 wildfires, with 93 currently active.
Laura Brougham
