Firefighters from Port Macquarie Fire and Rescue are pleading with smokers to dispose of cigarette butts properly after crews responded to a fire at Town Beach.
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Shortly after 12.30pm on October 24, firefighters were called to Town Beach, east of the Marine Rescue radio base, after shrub had caught alight.
Port Macquarie Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Derek Alford said crews were on scene quickly.
“It was an area of around 20m by 20m just east of the cafe and Marine Rescue base at Town Beach,” Mr Alford said.
“The mesh that holds the grass and flora to the hillside had caught alight due to cigarette butts left on the ground.
“One crew responded and extinguished the fire but was then called back about an hour later after it had reignited.”
Mr Alford said it was disappointing resources were constantly being used to deal with inconsiderate people.
“This is the second fire in an many weeks after a fire at Miners Beach was also started by cigarette butts,” he said.
“In that instance Port Macquarie Police had to close Lighthouse Beach Road at Pacific Drive due to smoke haze and strong winds.
“And honestly fires like this are something we are constantly being called out to especially over summer when people can’t be bothered to put their cigarette butts in the bin.
“These fires can most certainly be avoided and people need to be more mindful of where their rubbish will end up and what the consequences will be.”
This warning comes as the RFS reinforce bushfire threats despite recent cooler weather.
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