Stub out that butt: fire dept. asks for help in preventing fires

By Lethbridge Herald on August 9, 2022.

Herald file photo The burned out remains of a home are seen after fire ripped through the westside residence last month. Officials are reminding residents to properly disposal of smoking materials.

Al Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

About $4 million to $5 million in damages has been caused already this year in Lethbridge due to improper disposal of smoking materials.

And the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services wants to get out the word to residents to be extra diligent and careful.

Fire prevention officer Troy Hicks on Monday said “it seems like here at the city, my time here almost every year we have a different Number One cause of fires here in the city and 2022 has definitely been the year of improper disposal of smoking materials.

“We have had multiple single-family and multi-family dwelling fires here in the city because of that. We’ve also had quite a few near misses,” said Hicks.

“People are getting complacent, they’re just not using proper devices to dispose of their smoking materials and they’re just throwing them out. We can’t reiterate enough the importance of making sure people have the proper disposal devices,” Hick said.

An ashtray normally used in the house isn’t good for use outdoor on a patio or front step. Rather, people should have a bucket filled with sand or water and make sure smoking material is completely out before disposing of them.

Hicks also said people in Lethbridge are regularly seen throwing smoking materials out of their cars while driving.

Another heat warning was issued this week and “it is so dry here in the city so you’ve got to be so careful of that. Other communities and other provinces here in Canada actually have bylaws and they have laws that if someone is caught disposing something out of a vehicle, it could be a huge monetary fine or any other penalty. We do not have that yet in Lethbridge but it’s something on the radar if this continues to happen,” Hicks added.

Hicks said there have been a couple of near misses in recent weeks but people discovered fires under their patios or backyards and used an extinguisher.

A fire ban is currently active in the river valley, he added.

“This is not trying to tell the citizens of Lethbridge they shouldn’t smoke, they can’t smoke. That’s not what this is about, it’s just being responsible, mature with what you’re doing. You have a right to do it but you need to pay attention to what you’re doing,” Hicks said.

The heat alert from Alberta Health is a Level 1 alert and went into effect starting Monday. More smoke is forecast to be in this rated at 3, which is considered low risk.

But the City of Lethbridge says in a release, “heat waves cause an increase in heat-related illness, enhance drought conditions and can cause a significant long-term draw on power. Residents are encouraged to be mindful of the use of electric appliances and keep air-conditioning units at a moderate temperature to help prevent overloading the power grid.”

The City recommends people check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable to heat and ask if they need assistance.

Vulnerable members of the community are likely most at-risk, said the City, without access to shelter.

A heat warning is issued in the province when the daytime temperature is expected to reach 32 C or warmer and night time temperatures are expected to be 16 C or warmer for two or more consecutive days.

Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter

Comments are closed.