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The Pembroke Fire Department is warning residents about the dangers of fires caused by improperly discarded smoking materials as warmer weather and drier conditions take hold.
Fire officials say spring conditions can make grass, decks and other outdoor surfaces more vulnerable to ignition, increasing the risk of fires that can quickly spread to homes and nearby structures.
Across Ontario, improperly discarded smoking materials remain a leading cause of preventable and fatal home fires, the department said, noting crews respond to such incidents each year with varying levels of damage.
Fire Chief Scott Selle said many of these fires start outdoors, including on patios, in planters or in dry grass, before escalating.
“Every single one of these fires is preventable,” Selle said, adding that cigarettes discarded in places like flowerpots, decks or from vehicle windows can smoulder unnoticed and ignite.
The department is urging residents to fully extinguish cigarettes in non-combustible containers filled with sand or water and to avoid disposing of smoking materials in planters, mulch or garbage cans.
Officials also advise against smoking near dry vegetation or structures, and caution against tossing cigarettes from vehicles.
The department says keeping outdoor spaces clear of combustible debris can also help reduce fire risk.
Selle said even a small ember can pose a serious threat to homes and neighbourhoods, and urged residents to take precautions to prevent avoidable fires.
