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BUTT OUT! You Can Prevent Forest Fires!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044

  Driving down the highway on Tuesday minding my own business I saw vehicles pulled to the side of the road and smoke billowing up...surely it was an accident.  Just then to my left from a side road came a blaring fire truck which nearly ran me off the road! 

IT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT!  What it appeared to be was that someone threw a lit cigarette out the window and caused a fire along the highway.  Thankfully it was only grass but there was plenty of brush not too far away. 

When the weather is in the upper 90's and rain is scarce the stage is set for forest fires.  There are plenty of options available to drivers who smoke... like ashtrays or that bottle of water with a little water in the bottom, butts don't belong on our grass!  It is very difficult, if not impossible to trace down the careless, thoughtless fire-bug who just turned the highway into a fire zone but a little consideration would really be a big help!

Safety tips:

  • Obey Burn Bans Especially when its hot & dry
  • Thoroughly extinguish all fires even if its only a cigarette!  KEEP YOUR BUTTS IN THE CAR!!!
  • When pulling to the side of the road, find a paved or dirt area to stop your car.  The under carriage of your car can ignite tall dry grass
  • Trim back all brush & dead wood off trees and around your home.  There should be a 30-50 foot buffer around your home.
  • If you barbeque, keep the barbeque away from your home preferrably on a concrete pad, have a hose handy and NEVER leave the barbeque unattended!

These are just a few tips that can help keep you and others safe from unnecessary fires.  And as Smokey the bear would say, "ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!"

Comments (23)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Folks who live in fire prone areas of California are accutely aware of these dangers.  I recall a couple of years ago when several of our ActiveRain members had to leave their homes when the brush fires got near their community. 

 

Jul 29, 2010 12:04 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I can remember driving through mountains in NC with windows down in our family station wagon and my sister and I calling for Smokey!!!

I lived in Napa Valley when the entire east side of valley burned from the back side which was too steep and wooded to get water to effectively....luckily few homes were involved!

Jul 29, 2010 12:08 AM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Sara:

Actually, people should know better than to throw anything out of the car window - it is littering.  But a cigarette but in a dry area, on a hot day? That is beyond thoughtless.

 

Jul 29, 2010 12:11 AM
Sara Homan
Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044 - Ocala, FL
Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+

Thank you all for your comments!  This is a very important issue for all of us regardless of where we live.

Wallace, That is a precious memory!

Jul 29, 2010 12:22 AM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

This is a subject that can change lives.  Fires caused by a cigarette thrown from a car window can easily get out of control and destroy homes and livestock.  Those who smoke should be responsible.

Jul 29, 2010 12:36 AM
Tamara Camden Vacation Rental Agent
All Rentals 2 Remember, inc. - Key West, FL

Hi Sara, Tossing cigarettes butts carelessly is a pet peeve of mine also.  An "ounce of prevention" sure would save disasters.

Jul 29, 2010 12:56 AM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
So very true - it just takes a little common sense to be responsible.
Jul 29, 2010 01:31 AM
Joe Harvey
Lake Worth Real Estate - Lake Worth, FL

Sara, this drives me insane. I think that there should be heafty fines for throwing butts on the ground anywhere as it is littering contrary to what most smokers think.

Jul 29, 2010 01:40 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Sara, people who smoke should think twice before throwing their cigarette out of the window. With all of the hot weather we're having, it doesn't take much to start a fire. Thanks for reminding the smokers.

Jul 29, 2010 02:08 AM
Sara Homan
Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044 - Ocala, FL
Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+

In so many ways smoking is inconsiderate and thoughtless, I could really expound on that, however if this helps rekindle awareness and right behavior while extinguishing the chances of fire I am most grateful!

Corinne, I don't think I'd be as nice as you were!

Lenn, Do I have you to thank for the feature?  If so, Thank you!

Jul 29, 2010 03:19 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Hi Sara! Great post! Smokey the Bear owns the house next door to my mother. (He works for the forestry service and wears the costume to all the local events.) This post would make him smile! :) 

Jul 29, 2010 03:36 AM
Sara Homan
Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044 - Ocala, FL
Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+

Joni,  Thank you!  Feel free to share it with him

Jul 29, 2010 03:43 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

I have been known to follow people into parking lots after I see them throw a butt out the window.  It drives me crazy!

Maybe not the wisest thing to do, but most everyone I chat with are very contrite and apologetic.

Jul 29, 2010 03:57 AM
John Wojtasiak
eXp Realty - Chesapeake, VA

Sara, You put in nicer terms than I would. I hate driving down the road and seeing smokers flip their butts out the window. People are free to smoke all they want, just don't pollute my air and dispose of your butts properly.

Jul 29, 2010 04:10 AM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

So often the careless and thoughtless actions of others cause terrible results for the rest of us to cope with. I hope your fire department handled the problem quickly and that no one was hurt.

Jul 29, 2010 05:01 AM
Christianne O'Malley
Dickson Realty - Reno, NV
Exceptional Service - Delivering Results in Reno!

This is also very important in our area - the Eastern Sierra - where we are high desert, humidity less than 15% during summer, and everything's dry as a tinder box. 

Jul 29, 2010 05:05 AM
Speed Equity® Mortgage Acceleration System
Speed Equity® - Olympia, WA
We help your clients Own Their Homes Years Sooner

Sara, Sara, Sara, thank you  for stating the obvious. Hopefully all those dummies that do that will take heed.

Jul 29, 2010 05:16 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Sara, thanks for the post! Another reason that smoking is a habit that affects more than just the person indulging....and thanks also for the tip about parking away from dry grassy areas when you pull off the road--I might not have ever been conscious about that, but even here in Connecticut its been awfully hot and dry this summer, and it could make a difference!

Jul 29, 2010 06:11 AM
Deborah "Dee Dee" Garvin
C2 Financial - San Diego, CA
C2 Financial

Sara,  Living in Southern California we have be in constant vigil against brush fires.  Cigarette butts?  The bain of my existence....beyond fires, they will NEVER decompose in the environment.  Just careless and selfish on behalf of the smoker!

Jul 29, 2010 06:53 AM
Ted Tyndall
Davidson Realty Inc. - Saint Augustine, FL
I will help You find the Home YOU want to Buy

Sara, great article for this weather. People just don't think sometimes about the potential outcomes of their actions.

Jul 29, 2010 09:56 AM