FIRIES have urged south-east residents to remain vigilant after extinguishing a number of small roadside spot fires in the past month.
It comes after vegetation on a Finucane Road median strip at Alexandra Hills was burned in three separate fires since December.
A QFES spokeswoman said crews had been called to small fires on the same stretch of road on December 10 and December 17.
Both were put out within 10 minutes. The causes were unknown.
QFES Superintendent Jason Lawler said things like machinery or cigarette butts could spark suburban spot fires.
"It's very frustrating to be attending fires caused by cigarette butts when our resources could better serve elsewhere," he said.
"(At best) it's an inconsiderate act and can inconvenience to people and slow their trip to work. The smoke hazard from (median strip fires) can also cause secondary incidents like nose to tail (crashes).
"On the odd occasion we've seen discarded cigarette butts start significant fires.
"People just need to be considerate and aware of the consequences of their actions. Our crews will always deal with these fires but the best use of our resources is serious structure fires or bushfires."
From mid-January, NSW drivers will be hit with five demerit points for tossing lit cigarette butts out their windows, or 10 points and fines up to $11,000 in an area under a total fire ban.
Under Queensland law, dangerous littering - like throwing a lit cigarette butt onto dry grass in high fire danger conditions - can incur a $533 fine.
A QFES spokesperson said there were no significant blazes in the south-east and fire conditions were good for this time of year, with a high fire danger for the south-east coast.
Superintendent Lawler said people should still be prepared and have a fire plan, even if they lived in urban or suburban areas.
"When we have hot, dry winds, low humidity and high temperatures, any ignition could spark a fire where there are fuel sources (like) grass or vegetation," he said.
"Maintain clear spaces around your house and shed, clean out leaves from your gutter and have a bushfire plan in place."
For information on current bushfires, fire bans and how to prepare a bushfire plan, visit the QFES website.
