Lithium-ion batteries are driving a surge of fires in recycling facilities and urban centers while posing severe inflight safety risks. Aviation authorities warn that thermal runaway events at 32,000 feet are exceptionally dangerous, prompting a global safety campaign as regulators urge passengers to keep devices out of checked baggage.
Cargo Compartment Risks and In-Flight Incidents
For the airline industry, the proliferation of portable power has created an airborne hazard. Jonathan Nicholson at the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) notes that lithium-ion batteries rank among the top three risks facing commercial aviation. Global carriers face roughly two battery-related incidents every week worldwide, ranging from smoking electronics in baggage halls to active fires on flights.
While consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches are ubiquitous in the cabin, the primary danger lies below. In January 2025, an Air Busan aircraft was destroyed on the tarmac in Gimhae Airport in South Korea after a power bank left in an overhead compartment ignited. According to Judy Jeevarajan, vice president and executive director of UL Research Institute’s Electrochemical Safety Research Institute, catastrophic cargo hold fires about eight years ago prompted strict rules to prevent passengers from keeping these batteries in checked luggage.
About eight years ago, there were several catastrophic events that happened in the cargo compartment of cargo aircraft, and that actually brought planes down and people died because of that. And so [the airlines] prevent us from keeping lithium-ion batteries in the cargo compartment, whether it’s a passenger aircraft or a cargo aircraft.
The difficulty of managing a battery fire in an unstaffed cargo hold is acute. When a cell enters thermal runaway, the resulting pressure venting can destroy aircraft panels and compromise the plane itself. Consequently, airlines prefer that travelers carry devices into the cabin where crew members can respond immediately.
The Science of Thermal Runaway and Urban Fire Hazards
On the ground, municipal emergency services face a matching crisis. Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop issued a stark warning after lithium-ion batteries sparked two separate fires at the Ashwarren Road recycling facility within a single week. No injuries were reported during the three-alarm blaze on May 21, but officials emphasize that urban battery fires are climbing in both frequency and intensity.
The frequency and intensity of LIB fires continue to increase across our city, along with the risk to the public and firefighters.
These destructive incidents stem from thermal runaway, a self-heating, uncontrollable state where a cell rapidly cascades toward combustion. Pierre Kubiak, a principal engineer specializing in battery technology at the UK’s National Physical Laboratory, explains that the lithium itself is not what burns. Instead, the extreme danger comes from the rapid combustion of surrounding plastics and organic materials. The process generates temperatures more than 700 to 1,000 degrees super fast.
Micromobility equipment—including e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards—drives the bulk of municipal responses. Division Chief Marla Friebe points out that users frequently exacerbate risks by tampering with batteries to boost speed or extend charges, using incompatible aftermarket parts, or leaving devices overcharged.
Global Regulatory Response and Consumer Precautions
To combat the rising tide of incidents, the International Air Transport Association launched a worldwide initiative encouraging passengers to Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration maintains that safety remains a priority, recording 51 verified battery incidents for the year to July 15.
Experts attribute part of the proliferation to cheap, low-quality battery packs imported from East Asia where quality controls vary widely. While major manufacturers have improved device designs since the phone-related fires of about a decade ago, cheap vapes, loose power banks, and unverified chargers continue to flood the market.
Safety advocates stress that lithium-ion power sources remain generally safe when handled correctly. Officials urge consumers to look for certified devices tested for use in Canada, dispose of damaged items at approved disposal sites rather than municipal trash, and remain vigilant for warning signs such as plastic odors, unexpected smoke, and extreme heat.
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