How L.A. removed 1 million pounds of flammable lithium-ion batteries from its burn zones
Published Online: April 9, 2025
Written by: Laura J. Nelson
"The fires that swept through Los Angeles County in January left behind more than 1 million pounds of damaged lithium-ion batteries, ranging from slim capsules inside iPhones to the brick-like blocks that run electric vehicles.
Cheap and reliable, lithium-ion batteries have helped the world’s transition to green energy but come with one major risk: When damaged, the batteries can get very hot very quickly, burst open in a puff of toxic, flammable gas and erupt into flames that are difficult to extinguish. ..."
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