careless smokers are responsible for thousands of forest fires each year. many of these are started when cigarette butts and matches are tossed from automobiles. others are caused by hunters, hikers, fishermen, or woods workers who are careless in disposing of their smoking materials. The Forest Service has posted rules in many of the National Forests that prohibit smoking except in certain designated areas. many of the states have laws against throwing lighted materials from automobiles. the prevention of smoker-caused fires, however, depends upon changing the attitudes and behavior of millions of people who smoke in hazardous areas.