Weekend grass fire prompts warning from fire chief to be careful with cigarette butts

Coaldale’s fire chief is warning the public to be careful with cigarette butts after a grass fire last Saturday that could have been a lot worse. 

It happened between the east and westbound lanes of Highway 3, near the community, fanned somewhat by winds, at the time.

“This is the time of year where we have to be very cognisant of what we’re doing, especially with stuff like cigarettes,” Chief Clayton Rutberg points out.

“You improperly dispose of a cigarette, either tossing it out of a window or even putting it out in a planter pot, or something that, allows a fire that fire to start. So, really being careful about that type of stuff.”