New fire campaign targets cigarette butts

5/12/03
Firefighters, police and local government have joined forces to stamp out the problem of cigarette butts being thrown from car windows.
Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts says a trial area was being set up in the Canning Vale area and motorists could face up to a $5,000 fine.
Mrs Roberts said police and firefighters would be issuing infringement notices from December 11 and errant motorists could receive an immediate fine of $100.
"Alternatively, if the matter goes to court, and the person is found guilty, they may face the full weight of the bush fire penalties - a $5,000 fine," she said.
"This offence is deplorable and preventable. These fires damage the environment, waste firefighters' time and put firefighters at unnecessary risk."
The Minister said last summer there were 550 mulch fires around Perth. In October along a stretch of Bannister Road in Canning Vale there were 17 fires in one day. Just last month there were 31 fires in the same area.
"Often these fires occur on busy stretches of road, which means firefighters have to work on the roadway, putting their lives in danger," Mrs Roberts said.
"In October, one of our firefighters was working to extinguish a mulch fire on a median strip when he came perilously close to being hit by a car - all because someone in a vehicle thoughtlessly flicked a cigarette butt out a window."
The Minister said hot conditions were shaping up to make this a challenging summer for firefighters, with many homes and properties likely to be in danger from bush fires.
"It is imperative that the public does not waste firefighters' time with extinguishing hundreds of these avoidable nuisance, median-strip mulch fires," she said.
Minister's Office - 9213 6600