Salem Firefighters Seeing More Bark Fires

Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Due to a recent fire that could of have meant a huge dollar loss to a commercial building, we want to remind everyone that discarding of cigarettes by throwing them out your window or throwing them on the ground is illegal and has a huge potential of causing a grass or building fire.

Salem Firefighters fought a recent fire at the Marion Blood Plasma Center at 351 Belmont Street NE.

The fire started in the barkdust next to the building. When firefighters arrived they discovered the fire spreading up the exterior wall of the building.

They were able to extinguish it before it caused major damage. The cause of the fire was an improperly discarded cigarette

Improperly discarding of cigarettes is the number one cause of barkdust fires and one of the top causes of wildland fires.

Salem Fire Fighters respond to average of 20 improperly discarded cigarette caused fires per month during the summer months. These fires can easily be prevented if only smokers would discard their cigarettes in the proper containers and never throw them out your car window.