Do you remember what you’ve been taught about cigarettes and wildfires? You probably remember we were taught that a cigarette ignition required a fuel moisture of 14% or less, 80+degrees F temperature and humidity less than 22%. A February 2023 literature review by the Canadian Alberta Government found these hard and fast weather rules for cigarette ignitions to be invalid and outdated.

If you investigate wildfires, make sure to keep up to date on new and emerging studies related to the field. This linked study looks at whether “fire safe” cigarettes can start wildfires. Spoiler alert - they can!