Seriously, smokers - butt out!
Recently, I witnessed people tossing lit cigarettes out of their car windows in Prince George. The two instances I saw were on the same day within a few hours of each other.
How does this still happen with the current forest fire situation and the media attention towards it?
I was shocked and appalled by how careless these two individuals were. Maybe if they thought for a split second what the consequences could be, like destroying an entire community, they may reconsider that mindless flick out the window.
There is a current $575 fine for violating the B.C. Wildfire Act that includes tossing cigarettes. This fine is way too low for an act that can be so detrimental. According to a CBC news article, $274 million was spent in 2018 fighting fires in B.C.
Over the past 10 years, the BC Wildfire service states that 44 per cent or 666 fires per year have been caused by humans. I believe the fine should be increased substantially and include an additional penalty of having the violator visit a wildfire site (at their own expense, of course) to see firsthand what damage can be done.
Please, smokers - think before you act.
Tana Gowan
Prince George
