Charred electric and hybrid vehicles with lithium-ion batteries are adding extra hurdles for cleanup crews in Los Angeles after recent wildfires. These batteries can reignite and release toxic fumes long after fires are extinguished, creating new challenges for first responders and environmental officials.
Key Facts:
- Lithium-ion batteries in burned electric vehicles pose a safety risk even after flames are out.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in Phase 1 of removing hazardous materials from fire-ravaged areas.
- Los Angeles fire officials say this is the largest battery cleanup of its kind.
- Crews must deionize or otherwise neutralize the battery packs before safe disposal.
- Personal electronics and energy storage systems also contain the same combustible battery technology.
The Rest of The Story:
Cleanup efforts in affected Los Angeles neighborhoods require careful handling of highly flammable battery cells found in damaged electric and hybrid cars.
As EPA workers remove hazardous materials, they warn that lithium-ion batteries remain dangerous days and even months after fire damage.
They can unexpectedly ignite or explode due to hidden internal damage.
Los Angeles Fire Captain Adam VanGerpen noted that so many electric vehicles were destroyed, officials have never dealt with such a large number of potentially volatile lithium batteries at once.
The EPA’s incident commander, Steve Calanog, said technicians must carefully locate and neutralize every battery to prevent spontaneous fires.
If left unattended, these batteries can emit harmful gases that threaten residents and cleanup teams.
Beyond vehicles, lithium-ion batteries are also present in household items like power tools and vape devices, adding to the complexity.
EPA officials say that once this Phase 1 process is complete, other agencies will begin clearing the main debris from burned structures.
President Donald Trump’s recent executive order supports these recovery efforts by providing additional federal resources for cleanup and water management in California.
Officials hope this cooperation will speed up Phase 2, allowing residents to return to their neighborhoods safely.
75,000lbs of lithium ion batteries on fire shut down the 15 from LA to Vegas.
It took hours to reopen the freeway because the smoke is extremely toxic.
Support awareness for lithium ion batteries.🔥🔋
— Ashton Forbes (@JustXAshton) July 28, 2024
The Bottom Line:
Crews face a new layer of complexity when dealing with electric vehicles in wildfire zones.
Officials emphasize the importance of properly removing and neutralizing all lithium-ion batteries to ensure public safety.
They say that coordinated effort and extra caution are essential to prevent further accidents.
Local communities remain hopeful that faster cleanup will help them rebuild as soon as possible.
Remember that it’s for the environmental that your tax $$ subsidizes uncontrollable lithium battery fires that relentlessly spew toxic fumes into the air.
“Burning [EVs] in LA Add to Toxic Mix Hindering Wildfire Cleanup
Lithium batteries… have added to the mix of toxic… https://t.co/oKhQFXdhki pic.twitter.com/QaFJzWDhlw
— Prodigal (@ProdigalThe3rd) January 17, 2025
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