WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington drivers are being reminded to keep their trash inside their vehicles.

The Washington Department of Ecology says that people who violate litter laws by throwing trash out of their cars could face fines between $103 to $5000. More hazardous items, like cigarette butts or other items that could cause an accident, warrant higher fines if a litterer is caught.

With forecasters predicting a dry summer, Ecology officials are urging people to properly dispose of cigarette butts to prevent wildfires. The 2023 wildfire season for Washington state saw over 160,000 acres impacted by fires.

According to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, 125 fires were reported to be started by improper disposal of cigarette butts resulting in 2 deaths and $4,108,139 in property loss in 2022.