Burn barrels not the only hazard

MAT-SU — Cigarette butt containers may not be as prevalent as burn barrels, but in recent months Mat-Su firefighters have responded to an unusual number of fires caused by them, said Central Mat-Su Fire Department Chief James Steele.

Residents tossing cigarette butts into a plastic container have caused several deck fires in the Valley. “Also, people toss the butts into flowers pots, thinking it’s dirt,” he said. “However, often flowers pots are actually filled with peat moss, which contains organic material and will definitely burn.”

In the last three cases, Steele said neighbors saw the fires and helped put them out even before firefighters arrived.

“Otherwise, instead of just losing part of a deck, it could have been the whole building,” he said.