Burnt Tesla vehicles and lithium battery systems are adding toxic hazards to the cleanup of Los Angeles wildfires. These batteries, known for prolonged burning, require specialized removal processes, delaying residents’ return to affected areas.
Environmental and health risks
Lithium battery fires, along with hazardous debris from destroyed homes, pose significant environmental and health threats. Toxic materials such as asbestos, mercury, and heavy metals are present in the debris. Officials urge caution and prohibit independent debris removal without inspections from regulatory agencies.
Cleanup and future challenges
California Governor Gavin Newsom and local authorities are coordinating large-scale cleanup efforts, drawing on protocols from previous disasters like the Maui fires. However, the urban scale and prevalence of EVs in L.A. make this effort unprecedented.
