Vernon expands wildfire awareness

RICHARD ROLKE Mon Aug 28th, 2017 10:18amNEWS Morning Star"

The ongoing wildfire risk is fuelling increased public awareness.Vernon council voted Monday to install six or seven mobile signs along major routes letting motorists know about the potential for fire.“We’re asking people to take care and not flick their butts,” said Will Pearce, chief administrative officer. A special meeting was held Monday after concerns came from residents about people stopping at lookouts along Eastside Road and disposing of cigarette butts. “It’s scary on Eastside Road. It’s extreme out there,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. Quiring called for no smoking on all civic property, but that didn’t garner any support, largely because of the challenges with enforcement. There are about 50 pullouts along Eastside, Tronson and Bella Vista roads, as well as Turtle Mountain and the Foothills.The mobile signs will cost about $7,000. “The signage will draw people’s attention that we are in a fire hazard area,” said Coun. Catherine Lord.

While she supported signs, Coun. Dalvir Nahal wanted to go a further step by installing cigarette receptacles at some lookouts. “If someone sees them, they are more likely to use them,” she said.However, Nahal’s plan was shot down by a majority of her colleagues. “They could attract people to use it (pullout) and they may use it for a trash can, which increases the fire hazard,” said Coun. Scott Anderson. “You would also need someone to come by and empty it.”Despite the lack of support, Nahal defended her call for ashtrays.“This is our city and we want to keep it safe and clean, and if it costs a bit, so be it,” she said.
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http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/ontario-truck-driver-fined-575-for-tossed-cigarette/
Ontario truck driver fined $575 for tossed cigarette An Ontario truck driver was fined $575 for tossing a lit cigarette out his window while driving Highway 1 through Malakwa.

Cranbrook RCMP issued a $575 ticket under the Wildfire Act Tuesday after a man threw a lit cigarette out of his moving vehicle.

Responding to a complaint of the man driving down 14th Avenue in Cranbrook, RCMP heard from the complainant that the man tossed a cigarette out of the vehicle window and into the dry grass nearby.

RCMP said witness managed to record the license plate for the out of province Cadillac. After locating the vehicle, RCMP issued a $575 ticket to the driver for "Drop Release or Mishandle Burning Substance" under the Wildfire Act.“Cranbrook RCMP would like to stress to the motoring public that with the dry conditions in and around Cranbrook, it might only take that one cigarette being tossed out a window to cause a devastating and life altering wildfire in our area," said Cst. Katie Forgeron.

- Bradley Jones / with files from Cranbrook RCMP

Carelessness with lit cigarette butt costs B.C. motorist $575
CBC News Posted: Jul 11, 2017 5:04 PM PT

An Abbotsford driver has learned the hard way it isn't wise to flick lit cigarette butts out the window at the height of wildfire season. The unidentified motorist received a fine Tuesday for $575 under the Wildfire Act after an officer witnessed the butt-tossing, according to Abbotsford police Sgt. Judy Bird. "We're all at risk for smouldering cigarettes causing bushfires," Bird said. First responders say those fires put the lives of the public and firefighters at risk. "We attend multiple structure fires and human-caused fire tragedies every year when people discard smoking materials in dry plant pots outside their dwelling, in landscape bark mulch and dry grass," Abbotsford Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Adams said in a news release. Abbotsford police are asking anyone who witnesses a butt being tossed from a car or dropped on the ground in an area where a fire could start to call (star) 5555 or 1-800-663-5555.
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Also see: http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/driver-hit-with-575-fine-after-tossing-cigarette-butt-in-front-of-cop-1.3502012
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New Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation Fines

On April 1, 2016, increased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violation tickets came into force. British Columbia now has some of the highest wildfire-related violation ticket fines in Canada.

The B.C. government has taken a tougher stand on irresponsible behaviour that contributes to increased wildfire risks, in an effort to protect communities, natural resources and infrastructure from wildfire damage.
Wildfire Act violation ticket fines (effective April 1, 2016)
Section 2, Fail to report fire: $383
Section 3 (1), Drop, release or mishandle burning substance: $575
Section 3 (2), Fail to extinguish burning substance: $575
Section 5 (1), Light, fuel or use fire against regulations: $1,150
Section 5 (2) (a), Fail to extinguish fire: $575
Section 5 (2) (b), Fail to report fire: $575
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