If only people would do at least that. I saw it first hand, maybe that's why it angers me so much. Prevented a forest fire by sheer luck of being at the right place, at the right time.
Hiked up a hill on vacation, chilling, having a great time, when my friend suddenly points at a trash can saying: Uh, is that thing smoking?
Middle of the woods, that trash can was tied to a fucking tree, too. We sacrificed the water we brought with us and notified whoever was to notify. One hour later and it might've been too late.
Dear smokers:
CIGARETTE BUTTS BELONG IN AN ASH TRAY MADE FOR DISPOSING OF CIGARETTE BUTTS, AND NOWHERE ELSE.
TAKE A PORTABLE ASH TRAY WITH YOU, IF YOU INTEND TO SMOKE WHILE BEING OUT AND ABOUT. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE.
Yeah man, those people are pieces of shit. I also extunguished many burning trash cans in my time.
That's why, back when I used to smoke, I had to be 100% sure the cigarette was not even warm (by touching the end with my finger) before throwing it out.
Even then, smokers need to make it a habit to throw it into an ash tray. I do not give a single fuck as to how well it's put out, it belongs into an ash tray.
Some things deserve a zero-tolerance policy, and this is one of them.