Much of coastal BC lies under a near Texas-sized cloud of forest fire smoke and yet people still need to be reminded that the danger of a carelessly tossed cigarette is real.
BC’s forests remain at risk from human carelessness in a time when foliage and ground cover is dry. A province-wide total fire ban is now in place and some areas are under drought level 4 conditions.
There are over 150 forest fires raging in BC right now and Powell River residents can barely see the sun for all the smoke. It is a reminder for all to be diligent around flames. Finding tossed cigarette butts on the side of Highway 101 shows some are not heeding the all-too-real warning signs.
Recent fires outside Kelowna and in the Lower Mainland are believed to have been started by cigarettes discarded by smokers. There are lax fines for such actions, begging the questions: when wildfires are caused, are such fines appropriate for the dangers to people, wildlife and property? Does the punishment fit the crime?
A single cigarette can set a stand of dry grass burning in just seconds and cause potentially millions of dollars in damage. In Western Australia smokers caught disposing of a burning cigarette butt incorrectly during a total fire ban can be fined up to $25,000 and/or put in jail for a year. In BC, however, stiff penalties of up to $3 million and jail time are only threatened if the cigarette actually starts a forest fire. The person who started the costly 2003 McLure wildfire in the North Thompson region was eventually ordered to pay $3,000.
Fires can be started by lightning strikes, unattended campfires or fires not put out appropriately, sparks from chainsaws or by discharging a gun, vehicles, even magnifying glasses left on picnic tables. Accidents happen. Willful neglect, however, does not need to happen.
Everyone can be vigilant about fire hazards. It is up to all to take care regardless of time of year, as fires cause all sorts of damage—loss of forest, loss of life, loss of possessions and property, loss of health and loss of revenue.
Habits are hard to break. Perhaps more tax needs to be added to cigarettes to pay for all of this fire damage—such a tax could likely pay for the return of Martin Mars Water Bombers.
