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Iron County landfill warns of growing lithium-ion battery fires, explores mitigation measures
Summary
Landfill staff told commissioners lithium-ion battery fires are escalating, causing operational risk and prompting coordination with the state DEQ to develop best practices, PPE upgrades and faster suppression options.
Landfill management told the Iron County Commission on Sept. 20 that fires caused by discarded lithium-ion batteries are increasing in frequency and severity and that the county is coordinating with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and other landfills to develop mitigation and response strategies.
The landfill report said county tonnage is up this year (71,630 tons reported to date) and that fires are often from internal thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. Staff said recent incidents can require prolonged response, threaten liners and subsurface infrastructure and produce toxic smoke. The DEQ director met with county staff earlier in the year and is organizing a state committee to develop best practices for detection, suppression and post-fire management.
Landfill staff outlined possible responses being explored: improved PPE and filtration systems for staff, larger or faster-access water-supply options (portable water poles), suppression systems in the pit, additional staffing for the tipping area to detect hazardous loads, and state-level guidance on when to cover versus leave sites open during thermal-runaway events. Staff said standard fire-extinguishing methods require mixing and moving hot material and that simple water application alone is sometimes ineffective without further processing and separation.
Commissioners and staff agreed the issue will require budget planning for PPE, suppression equipment and possible infrastructure to reduce response times and mitigate liner damage.
