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July 13, 2015 - 8:00 PM
KAMLOOPS - Fair warning, smokers: If you discard your cigarette out the window, expect a ticket.
Kamloops RCMP Const. Jason Epp says police got about a dozen calls about people discarding their cigarettes. So far, four have already been ticketed; more are on the way.
Rain over the weekend lowered the fire danger rating in the area but Epp warns that all calls about discarded cigarette butts will be investigated and tickets and fines issued. Fines start at $82 but can go up significantly under the Motor Vehicle and Wildfire Acts.
He notes people who discard butts that start a fire can be held responsible for all costs associated with the fire and face jail time.
Epp says they don’t need pictures in order for tickets, but when you call police to complain be prepared to give a statement and give the license plate number as well as a description of the vehicle.
He adds taking photos while driving is not legal, but if you have a passenger with you that is able to take photos of the vehicle that is even better.
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” Epp notes.
Earlier this month, Kamloops Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire that was the result of ‘careless disposal of smoking materials.’
There have been three confirmed fires resulting from careless disposal already this year, with total dollar loss reaching nearly $1.1 million and smoking materials are suspected in several other fires.
The city banned cigarettes in all nature parks and trails heading into the weekend because of the dry conditions. As of Monday afternoon the ban remains in place.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015