Cigarette believed cause of Highway 2 fire north of Calgary

A fire along Highway 2 south of the Carstairs overpass Tuesday is believed to have been human-caused, sparking a response from RCMP.

“Please be aware of the dangers of discarding flammable materials out your vehicle windows,” an RCMP press release issued Tuesday said in relation to the incident.

On July 9, at approximately 2:10 p.m., police said in the release that the Carstairs Fire Department was dispatched to a grass fire in the east ditch of the northbound lanes of Highway 2, also known as the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, between Township Road 293 and 294.

“The fire is believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette. Thankfully, the fire was contained quickly,” police said in the press release.

Police noted the Calgary area is under a heat warning Tuesday. Environment Canada also issued a heat warning again for the Airdrie - Cochrane - Olds – Sundre area and the Red Deer - Ponoka - Innisfail – Stettler area Tuesday.

"The ditches, and all other areas, are extremely dry right now. By throwing a cigarette out your window, you are risking property damage, and the lives of those around and the first responders who have to deal with the fires," police said in the press release.