Concerns Rise Over Lithium Battery Fires Amid New Disposal Campaign
Fire authorities in New South Wales are raising alarms over the increasing incidence of fires caused by lithium batteries at landfill sites across the region. Recent events have led to the closure of some facilities and significant disruptions for local communities.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has highlighted the challenges associated with extinguishing these fires, as they are "notoriously difficult" to combat. On Wednesday, a fire believed to have been ignited by a lithium battery occurred at the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre near Wagga Wagga. This incident threatened nearby homes and required an emergency response that elevated the situation to a Watch and Act level, although it has since been downgraded.
Authorities are now urging community members to dispose of lithium batteries responsibly at designated disposal sites. Facilities manager Andrea Baldwin noted the significant risk these batteries pose, particularly during seasonal clean-outs when residents might unintentionally include them in their regular waste. "These items shouldn't be in bins and you need to be conscious of removing them," Baldwin advised.
The frequency of these fires is alarming, with approximately six incidents reported each week caused by lithium batteries, according to data from Fire and Rescue NSW. This statistic underscores the necessity for better public awareness regarding battery disposal. In a separate incident last week in the village of Monteagle, a truck was destroyed due to a suspected exploding battery, leading to the temporary closure of the local landfill and forcing residents to travel nearly 20 kilometers to the nearest facility in Young.
Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram commented on the broader implications, stating, "The public need to be aware that besides the inconvenience, there is a cost." He warned that the financial burden of replacing destroyed vehicles and rectifying damage ultimately falls back on local taxpayers. This showcases the ripple effects of improper disposal practices on community resources and finances.
In response to these persistent problems, the NSW government has initiated the "never bin a battery" campaign, aiming to enhance community awareness about proper disposal methods and reduce the risk of fires. The campaign emphasizes the importance of utilizing established disposal sites, which can be found through the Environment Protection Authority of New South Wales.
As fire crews continue to battle the blazes, RFS Inspector Scott Conlan emphasized the considerable resource demands that landfill fires generate. "The batteries themselves will burn for a number of hours, but the type of fire we're dealing with now could burn for weeks," he said. Conlan noted that firefighters face challenges due to the depth of the waste material; the full extent of the fire's reach is often unknown, complicating containment efforts.
Meanwhile, Wagga Wagga City Council is contemplating installing thermal cameras at its landfill site as a proactive measure to detect fires early. "It actually will spur us to look at some thermal imaging and what we can use from a software perspective that can assist us in being prepared for this," Baldwin said.
The ongoing risk posed by lithium batteries has prompted in-depth investigations, including an inquest underway in the New South Wales Coroner's Court, examining the dangers linked to these batteries, especially following incidents that resulted in fatalities. As the discussions surrounding battery disposal continue and technology emerges to mitigate risk, it remains vital for the public to heed warnings and properly dispose of lithium batteries to help curb this growing issue.
#BatterySafety #NSWFires #WasteManagement #CommunityHealth
