Firefighters are expressing concerns about the challenges posed by lithium battery fires, which are known for their intense heat, rapid spread, and difficulty to extinguish. Recent incidents include fires in lithium batteries of e-bikes in residential settings, such as one in Toronto this week, and at a large solar farm in Prince Edward Island last month. These incidents have raised alarm bells and prompted bans on electric bikes and cars in various buildings, public transit, and ferries due to safety concerns.
The rise in lithium battery fires has caused apprehension among the public, leading some individuals to hesitate in adopting electric vehicles. This week, during Fire Prevention Week, the focus is on lithium batteries as a key theme, shedding light on the challenges posed by these fires and strategies to mitigate the risks associated with them.
Toronto’s Fire Chief reports a significant increase of over 200% in lithium-ion battery fires since 2022, emphasizing the challenges faced by firefighters in combating these fires.
How prevalent are lithium battery fires?
Although Canadian fire departments do not consistently track lithium battery fires, estimates from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs suggest that around 1,500 fires caused by lithium batteries occurred in 600 communities nationwide last year. These numbers are on the rise, paralleling the increased use of lithium battery-powered devices, as stated by Paul Boissoneault, the association president and chief of the Oakville Fire Department.
Lithium battery fires are most commonly associated with devices utilized in residential settings, particularly e-bikes and e-scooters.
In contrast, incidents involving electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage batteries are less frequent, mainly due to stringent testing and safety measures incorporated, such as temperature sensors and cooling systems. While nationwide statistics on EV fires are lacking, data from the United States indicates that such fires are significantly rarer compared to those in gas-powered vehicles.
