Four Abasand homes have been destroyed and investigators believe that the cause was a discarded cigarette which was still burning. According to the Regional Emergency Services there is enough evidence after a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the blaze. According to Acting Fire Marshal Hunter Langpap “That cigarette was not fully extinguished and it was not disposed of into an ashtray,. Because it was unextinguished, it ignited some of the grass and ignited one of the homes.” A neighbor called in the fire, and the high wind velocity and pattern shifts may have contributed to the spread of the fire. It is believed that the cigarette was discarded approximately 20 minutes prior to the fire igniting. The cigarette lit some grass on fire, and that led to the first home catching on fire as well.

The discarded cigarette which destroyed the four Abasand homes was the cause, but whether the fire was intentional is doubtful. According to Langpap “In general with a discarded cigarette you’ll have a slow, smoldering fire for a significant amount of time. Provided that the fire has adequate fuel and adequate oxygen, it will continue to grow and grow until it reaches full flame. We’re obviously a little disappointed, but at the end of the day smokers’ materials are not uncommon. We’re trying to use this as an education piece. Right now there is a high warning within the wildland areas, so it’s really important that people are careful in that regard If you’re outside and you’re not near a receptacle, then you need to make sure that when you stand on it it’s completely out. We recommend … that you have some type of ashtray. People sometimes have a habit of putting cigarettes out in planters or plant pots, we’re not recommending that. It’s not a good idea. Sometimes some types of plants or things like that will combust.”