Ottawa drivers got a pointed reminder this week about the dangers of tossing lit cigarettes from moving vehicles, after a small grass fire broke out along Highway 416 — and OPP say a discarded butt was to blame.
Ottawa OPP confirmed the fire started on the highway's roadside, a stretch that sees heavy commuter and transport traffic connecting the capital to the Highway 401 corridor near Prescott. Officers were quick to contain the situation, and no injuries or significant property damage were reported.
A Common but Dangerous Habit
Tossing a cigarette out a car window might seem harmless, but Ontario OPP have long warned that the practice poses a real fire risk — especially during dry spells. Spring in Ottawa can be deceptively fire-prone: snowmelt dries out dead grass quickly, leaving roadside vegetation brittle and ready to ignite with even the smallest spark.
Grass fires along highways are more than a nuisance. They can reduce visibility for drivers, force emergency lane closures, and in worst-case scenarios, spread to nearby tree lines or properties. Firefighters responding to highway fires also face real hazards from passing traffic.
Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, throwing lit material from a vehicle is illegal and can result in fines. Depending on circumstances, charges under Ontario's Forest Fires Prevention Act may also apply if a fire causes significant damage.
Dry Conditions = Higher Risk
Environment Canada has flagged portions of Eastern Ontario — including the Ottawa region — for below-normal precipitation in recent weeks. That means the coming weeks are a critical window for fire safety, both along roadsides and in natural areas like the Greenbelt and the many conservation areas ringing the city.
Ottawa Fire Services routinely issues seasonal fire advisories as conditions warrant, and the National Capital Commission has fire restrictions in place across Greenbelt lands when conditions are dry enough to warrant them.
Local fire officials encourage residents and commuters alike to:
- Never throw lit cigarettes or matches from a vehicle
- Ensure campfires and backyard fires are fully extinguished
- Report roadside or grass fires immediately by calling 911
- Check fire risk ratings through local fire services before lighting any outdoor fire
What You Can Do
If you spot a roadside fire along a highway in the Ottawa area, OPP ask that you call 911 immediately and — if it's safe to do so — pull over well clear of the scene to assist emergency crews in locating the fire quickly. Do not attempt to fight a highway-side fire yourself.
For those who smoke while driving, the message from OPP is simple: use your ashtray, or wait until you're parked and can safely dispose of the cigarette in a bin.
Spring is one of Ottawa's most beautiful seasons — let's keep it from going up in smoke.
Source: CTV News / Google News Ottawa. Original report via Ottawa OPP.
