Last week, the council banned grilling and other outdoor flames in city parks. Mayor Annise Parker says she prefers not to ban cigarettes, and is urging Houstonians to do their part to prevent starting a fire.
"I just want to call for Houstonians to be thoughtful about how they use water, thoughtful about how they use open flames, and most especially, very careful about how they dispose of smoking materials," said Mayor Parker.
"Anything they can do, this is very dangerous," said Houstonian Rozelle Adams. "Just one cigarette butt can light up everything."
The city's Parks Department says it is working with the state's Forestry Department to see if other preventive measures are needed.
