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Fire Prevention Week Targets Lithium-Ion Safety as Colorado Fires Displace Residents

Departments promote certified purchases, safe charging, proper disposal to reduce stubborn battery blazes.

A ranger from the San Mateo County Parks Department cuts up a fallen pine tree into smaller pieces to finish burning during the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fires, which burned 86,509 acres. Photo courtesy San Mateo County Parks Department.
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Overview

  • NFPA’s 2025 campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” runs Oct. 5–11 and centers on household battery risks.
  • Aurora Fire Rescue said a Thursday duplex blaze tied to lithium-ion batteries displaced three people and required hazmat removal and packaging of batteries.
  • South Metro Fire Rescue reported an e-scooter battery fire on Sept. 30 that displaced four residents, and crews recently evacuated a Littleton area during an EV charging-station fire.
  • Fire officials warn these fires can reignite and release toxic gases, with some departments limiting water use, deploying specialty agents, and decontaminating or discarding gear after hazmat exposure.
  • Local agencies are ramping up outreach: Appleton hosts an Oct. 11 electronics recycling event; Wheeling staffs safety tables Oct. 7–9; Lafayette and Palm Beach County emphasize buying listed products, using manufacturer-approved chargers, charging on hard surfaces or outdoors for larger devices, taping terminals, and recycling via Call2Recycle or local drop-offs.