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Cigarette butts cause many fires

Dry conditions increase danger TULSA FIRE CODE HIGHLIGHTS
Tossing a lighted cigarette out of a vehicle window in Tulsa is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and 90 days in jail. Tulsa World file
Tossing a lighted cigarette out of a vehicle window in Tulsa is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and 90 days in jail. Tulsa World file

By PHIL MULKINS World Staff Writer
Published: 3/16/2009  2:20 AM
Last Modified: 3/16/2009  3:26 AM

"Keep your butts in the car," is the easiest way people can prevent grass fires that turn into brush and house fires, said Tulsa Fire Department spokesman Capt. Michael Baker. "Stop throwing your burning cigarettes out the window. This causes more trouble for the Tulsa Fire Department than any other cause: lightning strikes, electrical fires, etc.

"An example is the right-of-way grass fire near 21st Street and Mingo Road. Someone threw out a cigarette and burned over an acre (the size of a football field). There was a PSO substation in the area, extensive wooden fencing and lots of properties backed right up to it. If that grass had been any taller we might have had a much bigger problem. This is why we are so strict on outdoor burning and fireworks," Baker said.

"We still have areas around town of five to 10 acres that have woods with dry fuel that could be involved at any time by juveniles setting fires or people throwing out cigarettes — we have a lot of that in east Tulsa — and when it backs up to an apartment complex we have big problems," he said.

The area also is still dealing with unattended areas hit by the December 2007 ice storm — downed limbs and dead, low-hanging debris. Some are heavily wooded and in populated zones that could be involved. This is not being cleaned up. It's unattended property. It would make sense for neighbors to take the initiative to go out and clear away dead and drying debris.

The problem is the area hasn't had
the volume of rain necessary to keep the soil damp to any depth.

Thinner fuels like tall grass are easily dried in a day or two of medium, southerly winds and low humidity.

Also, piled debris never gets wet enough to stay wet. The larger limbs and sticks with intact bark have been drying for over a year and will never get rained on enough for dampness to reach the interior. It remains "dry fuel." Until the area receives substantial rains, the problem will persist, Baker said.



Phil Mulkins 581-8339
phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com

TULSA FIRE CODE HIGHLIGHTS

Tossing “burning objects” out of vehicle windows is a violation of the Tulsa Fire Code (Title 14, Section 310.7) and punishable by a maximum fine of $500 and up to 90 days in jail, said Tulsa Fire Department spokesman Capt. Michael Baker.

Tossing a lighted cigarette out the window, under these drought conditions, can result in a grass fire. If it burns up under a car or into a building, causing $2,500 or more in damage, the tosser can be charged with “malicious injury to property.” This is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to two years in the state penitentiary, said Baker.

In the event a Fire Department employee witnesses such a violation, a fire marshal or a fire code enforcement officer is called in to issue a citation. There is no way for a citizen motorist to report seeing such violation — as the guilty driver or passenger would have to be identified in a lineup by the motorist. But a Tulsa Police Department officer witnessing such carelessness or malicious mischief can pull over the driver and issue a citation based on what he has witnessed.

City Prosecutor Bob Garner said the “burning objects” portion of the fire code crosses his desks two to five times per month, more often under such dry conditions.”

He said the “preset fine” on such violation issued by a Tulsa officer is $220 or the violation can be “booked to court” where the judge can issue a $500 fine and 90 days in jail.

Any officer witnessing the telltale evidence of showering embers following a moving vehicle has the authority to pull the driver over to issue the citation. As these infractions are becoming so potentially dangerous to life and property, patrolling officers are writing more of them.


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Some reader comments for this page were copied from "Fire department urges motorists not to toss lit cigarettes from vehicles," which was published on 3/15/2009.

Comments
cherry74129, Tulsa (last year)
I agree, keep your butts in your vehicle. Of course, smokers will throw their butts out the window because most don't want to trash up their vehicles with butts in their ashtrays. Guess what smokers, by throwing out your butts, you are trashing up our streets. If you don't like your ashtray filling up, empty it on occasion. Simple as that! Your car, hair, clothes, and breath already stink from the cigarette, so why not use your own ashtray. That's what vehicle manufacturers installed it for. Duh!! I know I'll probably get alot of flack for this one. But I don't smoke and don't intend to start. It is bad for my health and I don't like the smell either!!
DRM, (last year)
cherry74129...cars manufactured since 2004 or so do not come equipped with ashtrays. I had to buy one that slips into a cup holder. I for one do NOT throw lit butts out my window, so please don't lump us all together!
The Sarge, Okmulgee (last year)
If you see some one throw out a lit cigarette write down their tag number and give it to OHP it is also know as littering.DRM I have a 2001 Cavalier and it does not have a cigarette lighter or and ashtray those were extras.So if you smoke give a hoot and don't pollute.
ttr1975, Sand Springs (last year)
Few Clothes: If you are going to make fun of people, make sure you look halfway intelligent.
icspots, North of Tulsa (last year)
I don't know how many times someone has flipped a lit cigarette onto the hood of my car. Thank goodness it blew off instead of going into the nose mask. One of these vehicles was a Bartlesville ambulance. I am a former smoker and I always kept my mess in my car.
Grass fires and unsightly street debris aren't the only reasons the litterbutts should cease and desist. If you've ever been riding down the street on a motorcycle and had a lit cigarette come flying back at you, you'll know it's no joke. Luckily, I was wearing protective clothing and a helmet with a face shield, or there could have been a serious accident.
my view, Sand Springs (last year)
I guess I don't get out much, because I haven't seen anyone flip a butt out of a car window in a long time. I'm saying it doesn't happen but I haven't seen them.
loudshirt, (last year)
Quit infringing on smokers rights. They smoke so they can do what they want. They have the right to throw their butts anywhere they want. They have the right to stop right outside the door of a public building and light up. They have the right to give their kids asthma by smoking in the car with the windows up while driving their kids around. Dont let us non smokers tell them how to run their life. Smoking only affects them everything else is just made up by anti smokers.
Obviously you cannot group all individuals in together but here are my overall observations...
Smokers think it is perfectly fine for them to litter the streets and peoples yards with their trash.
They also seem oblivious to how annoying and dangerous this is.
To do this you would have to be 1 of 3 things...not very smart, totally clueless, completely arrogant. I think most fall into the last category. They are just too good to dispose of their own waste and dont care who they endanger. This shows with their butts and second hand smoke that they so generously share with the rest of us.
rdhm, (last year)
Why don't we put a .05 cent deposit on the cigarette butts themselves. That way the smokers can deal with the disgusting butts. If they throw them down on the street then the homeless can pick them up and get some money for turning them in.
lakebum, (last year)
There are few things that I can say I HATE...but litterbugs, especially those that toss cigarette butts....drive me nuts....I HATE littering
oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (last year)
Cant stand the way some people dress, and smell, would rather smell cigarette smoke.Not to mention the language used in public, know what Im saying.and cell phone users in the car and in public, not paying any attention to anything.and those cars with loud thump music.
soonernow, (last year)
I think you'll see a considerable number of people stop smoking after April 1st..There is a new U.S. Government tax on cigarettes at an additional .62 per pack. Smokes are getting very expensive now..probably be about $6.50 per pack and about $50.00 + or - per carton after 4/1..I wonder when they;ll start taxing twinkies
and doughnuts? Just a thought!
CPT Ron, Lawton (last year)
Just ban smoking in cars while driving, and ban smoking in cars that do not have an ash tray.

Smoking takes a hand off the steering wheel so they are driving with one hand. It also is distracting so it endangers the public.

If states can ban using a cell phone in a car, they can ban using cigerettes in a car too.
.Missy..M, little town (last year)
Just dont smoke and drive.
Jason L., Tulsa (last year)
There is nothing we can do about this. Nothing. nothi.. noth.. n....

Fictional - One day Dirk went to the store in the year 2025. He headed down busy street when he saw a white truck ahead of him toss a lit cigarette butt out the window. Immediately Dirk pulled behind the truck and activated his neutron blaster. The trucks engine died with the disruption of its electronics and pulled over to the side of the road. Dirk kept driving, content in the though that his home made contraption had meted out justice yet again on a thoughtless member of society. Too bad that trucks electronics were fried. oh well

That was fun to write :)
dslat, Tulsa (last year)
Thought that Fire safe cigarette law was supposed to stop that. Well just seems to make people feel even worse from smoking. This law was passed without any consent of the people and should be repealed since it doesn't work anyway.
Don't get me wrong, I don't throw lit cigarettes out and am very careful about not littering. I know I should stop smoking, but the "fire safe" versions are more dangerous and I for one will be buying in Missouri from now on.
Oh yeah, DON'T TALK ON THE CELL AND DRIVE! That is the real distraction.
Bullhead, Nicut (last year)
I was driving down the spur in Tahlequah and seen an entire pasture on fire. I thought some idiot tossed a cig out and started the fire. As I drove on down the highway, I see where the crazy city workers started a fire as big as a house from limbs they collected and figured out that some of the hot ash probably blew across the road and caught the hay field on fire. The city started this huge fire in MARCH. Way to go, Public Works!
dslat, Tulsa (last year)
Burning trash is a bad idea too, I could barely see on the turnpike to OKC because of the smoke.
Tinker1980, (last year)
Latersooner: That's why some bikers carry old spark plugs or dead batteries in their coat pocket. I'm bad for doing that? They're bad for throwing burning debris at me. And can't catch me in any case.

Jason L: Love it. Wouldn't need a "Neutron Blaster" in the year 2025 though... I'm betting a magnetron (or two) from a microwave oven would do it just as well. Just have to get an inverter for your car...
Tony G, Tulsa (last year)
Back when I used to smoke alot, I would dump my ashtray at intersections to protest the high taxes on cigarettes.
just me17G, Tulsa (last year)
Haters haters haters. As far as second hand smoke, we can't smoke anywhere in public besides outside and unless you are standing right next to us inhaling the smoke, it shouldn't cause you too many health problems.

Smoking in the car has probably caused fewer wrecks than these idiots yapping away on cell phones not paying attention to the road or anyone else for that matter.

And whoever said "Many of the smokers can't or never reads." I "reads" constantly, am college educated and have a great job. You my friend, need to learn to proofread before making assumptions of others.

Oh and I do NOT throw butts out the window of my car, nor do I smoke in my home. Not only do I not want to litter, it's my habit and no one should have to clean up after me. While I AM trying to quit, it's a little harder than most non smokers think it is.

Have a great day everyone.
Daniel Day Simpson, Edmond (last year)
The answer is simple. Bill all grass fires, property damage, and insurance payments to widows of fallen firefighters back to the smokers. Send the bills for a year's worth of damage to the settlement fund or right to the cigarette manufacturers. I'm not saying you should not smoke. Heck, lite up 100 in your mouth if you wish, I don't care. I think its funny when I see people with a mouth full of cigarettes at a fraternity prank. But if your act of arson burns down a school, your habit should pay for a new school. I guess it goes hand in hand with the training I have had to not toss anything from a vehicle. I'm anal retentive about disposing things in a trash can and I teach my nephews and nieces to also do so.
BTW, if you have a vehicle with no ash tray, just do what my late aunt used to do before she died of lung cancer. She always carried a cup that was half filled with water in her Altima to toss the butts. When it was winter, she had a buttsicle. Gotta laugh.
Sarah74104, Tulsa (last year)
Everyone is so good at stereotyping it's amazing, I smoked for 12 years, I didn't have an ashtray in my car... so I bought one, $3 at Wal-Mart so that I wouldn't through out my cigarette butts. Not all smokers are the anti-christ! I will wait til I get to my car or home, I won't smoke outside of public places because I don't personally believe that non-smokers should have to suffer because I smoke, and I know it stinks and can make it hard to breath. I was actually raised by a smoker that taught me to respect everyone, including non-smokers... even the ones who like to judge people.
Oldfatdude, (last year)
(general comment not directed at specific person) ~ What ever happened to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"? You do what you want and I'll do what I want as long as we don't hurt each other. Starting grass fires and littering hurts me and you, so that's why I don't toss my butts out and you shouldn't either. Simple as that. There some old saying... "Your freedom extends to the tip of my nose". Beyond that and you're in serious trouble (works both ways). So, let me have my cigarettes, beer, hookers, and whatever I want and you can have what you want. If you want to be a judge, go to the court house and apply for the job.
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