Driver caught tossing cigarette out window fined $1K: Calgary police

A stock photo of a cigarette. (Unsplash/ Andres Siimon)

Calgary police are waning 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.

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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.