Unified Fire Authority warns of rising lithium-ion battery fires, urges residents to call 911

The Unified Fire Authority told the Midvale City Council on Sept. 16 that Midvale crews answered about 340 calls in August and are seeing a national uptick in fires linked to lithium‑ion batteries.

Chief K., speaking for Unified Fire Authority, said batteries are “very common in our households” and warned they present special hazards. “They burn hotter and faster. They're harder to extinguish. They ignite over and over. They produce toxic smoke and explosive gases,” Chief K. said.

The department described the most-common call types in August as medical calls, vehicle crashes and a small number of vehicle and vegetation fires; Chief K. also said a suspect is in custody on arson charges in connection with an arson that involved ETA buses earlier this year.

The fire chief gave residents practical guidance for identifying failing batteries — odor, discoloration, excessive heat, deformation, leakage and unusual sounds — and said that, when a battery is smoldering or on fire, the safest response is to evacuate and call 911 rather than attempt extinguishment.

Chief K. and staff provided a one‑page handout with safety tips and local recycling options and said the department will share corrected QR codes for the public materials on the city’s and department’s social channels.

The council asked staff to circulate the one‑page and social posts once the QR codes are corrected. A council member and several residents recounted personal incidents of battery‑related fires, underscoring the department’s message to use certified chargers and UL‑listed batteries and to avoid third‑party chargers of unknown origin.

The fire department encouraged residents to call 911 for active fires and to use the city’s recycling resources for spent batteries.