Calgary police are warning about the consequences of tossing a lit cigarette after issuing a hefty fine to a driver who allegedly did just that. Police say the driver of an SUV was spotted throwing a cigarette butt out of their window on May 1 while in the 5600 block of Fourth Street N.W. The driver received a $1,000 fine, police said in a Thursday social media post. “Discarding burning litter violates city bylaws,” police said. “Tossing a lit cigarette from a car window can easily spark roadside fires, especially in dry conditions. Always dispose of cigarettes responsibly.” In Alberta, wildfire season starts March 1 and runs until October. The province announced earlier this week that more than 550 seasonal firefighters have been hired for the 2026 season – an increase of 10 per cent over last year. The province also introduced a new program called the Mutual Aid Incentive Pilot, which offers municipalities up to $125,000 to support wildfire response and encourages them to ask for provincial assistance sooner.
