RCMP issue fire warning

Police urge caution when discarding smoking material

Usually a fire department advises caution but Alberta RCMP recently took the step of issuing a fire warning after an incident along the QE11 highway. 

RCMP report that on July 9th the grass in the east ditch of the highway's northbound lanes, between Township Road 293 and 294, caught fire.

"It was determined that this fire was started by a discarded cigarette from a moving vehicle," said Cpl. Gina Slaney.  

While a firefighting crew from Carstairs was able to contain the flames and stop them from spreading further, the incident prompted police to issue a warning as such actions could have serious consequences.  

"So everything is extremely dry, including the ditches and by throwing a cigarette out your window, first of all, it's selfish because you're putting property and people's lives at risk. and you have to think about the first responders who have to deal with these fires like they're going out there and risking their lives, " explained Slaney, adding "It seems very simple throwing your cigarette butt out the window. The repercussions could be deadly."

Slaney stressed people need to use more common sense considering current conditions. "We just wanted to put the word out there for people to to be smarter."