The Washington State Patrol issued a reminder that anyone who tosses a lit tobacco product or other lit material from their vehicle can be fined $1,025.

As conditions continue to dry out across the state, the danger of fires caused by individuals discarding lit tobacco products or other lit material from their vehicles increase, according to a State Patrol media release. One careless action can quickly turn into a major fire.

The resources needed to fight the fires and the losses associated with them, such as homes, structures and even life are extremely expensive and costly to taxpayers.

The State Patrol will take appropriate enforcement under RCW 70.93.060(4) for those who discard a lit tobacco product or other lit material. It is a class 1 civil infraction as provided in RCW 7.80.120 for a person to discard, in violation of this section, potentially dangerous litter in any amount.