Los Angeles Wildfires: Toxic Risks from Burnt-Out Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have left a trail of destruction, with thousands of homes destroyed and at least 27 lives lost. As the city begins to clean up the affected areas, a new challenge emerges: burnt-out electric and hybrid vehicles, home-battery storage systems, and other toxic materials that are complicating the cleanup efforts.
Lithium batteries from Tesla, along with those from other carmakers, are adding to the mix of toxic materials requiring specialized removal. This is delaying the return of fire victims to their properties.
The Scale of the Problem
As state assembly member Jacqui Irwin pointed out, “A lot of the cars in the evacuation area were lithium batteries. We’ve heard from firefighters that those lithium batteries burned fires near homes – like those with power walls – for much longer.”
The LA wildfires, which began January 7, have taken a toll on the city’s infrastructure. With over 431,000 Teslas in operation in the Los Angeles area as of October 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility, the cleanup efforts will require a significant amount of resources.
The city’s plan to tackle the cleanup involves the removal of materials most at risk to public health, including hazardous household waste, pesticides, batteries, and fuels. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has prohibited the unsafe removal of fire debris, warning of “substantial” risks to human health and the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed.
Expert Insights
San Diego firefighter Robert Rezende, a specialist in lithium-battery hazards who’ll be assisting in the cleanup effort, said protocols developed during the 2023 fires in Maui will be used in Los Angeles. However, the scale of this event, and the hazards, are “magnitudes larger” than anything the state has seen before.
“The state has seen other fires, but nothing this urban, with so many neighborhoods and structures where you’d expect to see more electric vehicles and other energy storage systems,” Rezende said. “We’re anticipating a pretty big lift.”
Environmental Concerns
The rebuilding process will take a long time, with much of the city still under evacuation orders and lacking power. The city is worried that toxins from burned homes will pollute the beaches and ocean when rains start.
“We’ve got a responsibility to the environment,” said Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart. “A beautiful day in Malibu is what draws us here and makes life so idyllic. That’s what we have to protect.”
The cleanup efforts will require a significant amount of time, resources, and expertise. As the city begins to rebuild, it’s clear that the challenges of the LA wildfires will have a lasting impact on the community.
With the state committed to addressing the issue of lithium-ion batteries and the cleanup efforts underway, the city of Los Angeles can begin a long road to recovery and rebuilding. The lessons learned from this disaster will be crucial in guiding the response to future disasters.
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