Toronto has broken its annual record for lithium-ion battery fires with four months left in 2026. The city had 91 incidents in 2025, which was a record high back then. This year, there have been 97 incidents so far, marking a more than 200% increase compared to four years ago when tracking began. Toronto Fire reports 14 injuries related to the 2026 incidents.
The surge in incidents is attributed to the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries, according to Paul Boissonneault, the Secretary of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. Recent events have highlighted the issue, with four fires occurring within 24 hours last month and two more over the past weekend linked to e-bike batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used since the 2000s, especially in micromobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters. Toronto Fire emphasizes that incidents are primarily linked to e-bike and scooter batteries, particularly when they are overcharged, modified, or damaged.
Fire chiefs are calling for stricter regulations on battery storage and safety to address the challenges faced by emergency responders. Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop advocates for better regulations rather than an outright ban on the batteries. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs is collaborating with Health Canada on proposed regulations and pushing for tighter import controls.
Plans for updates to national building and fire codes in 2030 aim to establish a standardized and harmonized approach to enhance battery safety nationwide. The Ontario fire marshal is also considering changes to the province’s fire code to address the rising risks of lithium-ion battery fires.
To prevent such fires, Toronto Fire advises using safety-tested and certified devices, following manufacturer instructions for charging and storage, and keeping batteries away from flammable materials.