Cigarette butt on the side of Sunrise Trail

By Teagan Rasche

Fire Safety

‘Recipe for disaster:’ cigarette butts seen on popular local paths

Jul 5, 2021 | 4:47 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Cypress County Fire Chief is asking for fire safety awareness after cigarette butts are seen among common local paths.

Fire Chief Brad Straty says cigarette butts pose a big fire risk. However, some of the disastrous burns are preventable.

With butts now being seen on neighborhood paths, he says that is a recipe for disaster. Day by day the land gets drier, creating easier opportunities for fires to start and spread.

“With the trails being throughout the city and it being as dry as it is, that’s just going to create a higher level and harder way for us to get in and fight those fires especially whether it’s in the city or out here in the county,” Straty said.

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Straty is also warning against using fireworks. He says in dry areas, a small fire can end up big very quickly.