
As the remnants of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles begin to clear, the cleanup efforts encounter major obstacles from scorched electric and hybrid vehicles, along with home battery storage systems.
The emergence of lithium batteries from Tesla and other manufacturers has amplified the number of hazardous materials that need specialized removal post-fires, complicating the process for fire victims wanting to return home.
ADVERTISEMENT
CONTINUE READING BELOW
“Many vehicles within the evacuation zone were equipped with lithium batteries,” stated Jacqui Irwin, a state assembly member responsible for overseeing the Pacific Palisades, a heavily impacted area. “Firefighters have indicated that these lithium batteries sparked fires near homes, particularly those with power walls, which burned much longer.”
The LA wildfires, which began on January 7, have resulted in at least 27 fatalities and destroyed thousands of homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has dedicated $100 million to assist in cleanup initiatives.
As of October 2024, over 431,000 Teslas were registered in the Los Angeles area, according to S&P Global Mobility data. Their market share locally is three times that of national figures, with the Tesla Model Y recognized as the best-selling vehicle in the state through September, as reported by the California New Car Dealers Association.
Putting out fires in lithium batteries may necessitate large quantities of water. Automakers offer guidelines for first responders on handling these situations.
In some sections of Palisades and Eaton, residents previously under evacuation orders were allowed to return home on Thursday. However, those whose residences were destroyed or situated in severely damaged areas must wait for utilities and structures to be assessed for safety before they can retrieve personal items or evaluate damages.
During a briefing on Wednesday, county Deputy Public Works Director Cid Tesoro advised residents returning to areas affected by the Eaton fire against attempting debris cleanup, warning of sharp objects and hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, mercury, and other chemicals.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has acknowledged these difficulties. In an executive order released this week, he mentioned that the state is “still adapting to newer technologies” such as lithium-ion batteries, which pose specific risks when subjected to extreme heat from fires. Two years ago, Newsom signed an executive order mandating that all vehicles sold in the state be zero-emission by 2035.
San Diego firefighter Robert Rezende, a specialist in lithium battery hazards who will assist in the cleanup, indicated that protocols established during the 2023 Maui fires will be applied in Los Angeles. However, the scale and risks associated with this incident are tremendously greater.
“The state has faced other fires, but nothing with this level of urban impact, where so many neighborhoods and structures are involved, resulting in a higher concentration of electric vehicles and other energy storage systems,” Rezende noted. “We are gearing up for a substantial undertaking.”
In Maui, the Environmental Protection Agency processed over 30 tons of lithium batteries from more than 1,400 properties for recycling.
ADVERTISEMENT:
CONTINUE READING BELOW
The initial phase of cleanup is focused on removing materials that present the highest risk to public health, as stated by Tara Fitzgerald, an incident commander with the agency. This includes pesticides, batteries, fuels, and other items typically considered hazardous household waste.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an order banning unsafe debris removal, highlighting “significant” risks to public health and the environment when waste is improperly handled. Independent debris cleanup is prohibited without inspection by approved agencies, including the EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
“The burning of construction materials like siding, roofing tiles, and insulation can give rise to hazardous ash containing asbestos, heavy metals, and other toxic substances,” mentioned the health department. “Households and businesses may have stored hazardous materials such as paint, gasoline, cleaning products, pesticides, compressed gas cylinders, and chemicals that could have ignited or been released during the fire.”
The Palisades fire caused extensive damage to the adjacent city of Malibu. Mayor Doug Stewart noted in an interview that the state is overseeing debris removal and has effectively managed cleanup efforts following the Woolsey fire in 2018, which destroyed 1,600 structures. The Palisades fire has now affected over double that number.
The rebuilding process will take time. Six years after the Woolsey fire, only 182 of 363 single-family homes approved for rebuilding have been finished.
Much of the city remains under evacuation orders and is without electricity. Building inspectors are conducting rapid visual assessments of damaged properties and have completed approximately 35% of inspections, according to Malibu’s website. Stewart is worried that toxins from the burned homes could contaminate the beaches and ocean in wet weather.
“We have a responsibility to the environment,” he stated. “A beautiful day in Malibu is what draws us here and makes life so idyllic. That is what we need to protect.”
© 2025 Bloomberg
For detailed finance and business news, follow Moneyweb on WhatsApp here.