Roseville environmental staff warn five collection‑truck fires tied to lithium‑ion batteries; pickup offered

Devin Whittington, representing Roseville’s Environmental Utilities Department, told the Public Utilities Commission that since January the city has experienced five fires in refuse collection trucks caused by lithium‑ion batteries in the waste stream.

“Since January of this year, we've had five fires in our refuse collection trucks,” Whittington said, stressing that these incidents are increasing in frequency and are more severe than typical smoldering fires the crews used to see.

Whittington described the battery fires as abrupt and intense — “it was seriously an explosion inside the back of the packing mechanism in the truck and it caught on fire instantaneously” — and noted that truck‑mounted extinguishers sometimes do not fully suppress such blazes. He said some of the batteries that have caused problems are relatively small in size and can ignite after exposure.

To reduce risk, the department plans public education campaigns and a video, and it offers scheduled pickups for residents who need to dispose of lithium‑ion batteries.

“If you have lithium ion batteries and you need to dispose of them, give us a call and we'll actually come out and pick them up,” Whittington said, adding that residents can schedule an appointment online and that staff will transport hazardous items safely.

Commissioners asked about commonly available drop‑off locations (a commissioner noted Home Depot collects batteries) and about the smallest sizes that can ignite; Whittington said small batteries — including AAA sizes and other relatively small cells — can be dangerous once exposed.

The commission received the update for information; staff said it will run outreach and accept calls to schedule battery collection.