Toronto has already broken its annual record for lithium-ion battery fires with four months remaining in 2026. In 2025, there were 91 incidents, marking a record high. This year, there have been 97 incidents so far, showing a more than 200% increase compared to four years ago when tracking began. Toronto Fire has reported 14 injuries related to the 2026 incidents.
Paul Boissonneault, the Secretary of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and Fire Chief in Oakville, highlighted the significant rise in lithium-ion battery usage as a contributing factor to the increasing number of incidents.
Recent incidents involving e-bike batteries have drawn attention to the issue. Last month, four fires linked to batteries occurred within 24 hours, followed by two more incidents over the past weekend. The batteries, commonly used in devices like laptops and cell phones since the 2000s, have seen expanded production for micromobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters since the late 2010s.
Toronto Fire has emphasized that issues arise with e-bike and scooter batteries, especially when they are overcharged, modified, or damaged, leading to a surge in fire incidents.
Fire chiefs are advocating for stricter regulations to address the challenges posed by battery-related fires. Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop stressed the urgency for better regulations surrounding battery storage and safety at the provincial and federal levels.
Collaborating with Health Canada, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs is pushing for proposed regulations on batteries and advocating for enhanced import controls. The association looks forward to upcoming updates to national building and fire codes in 2030 to establish a standardized approach to battery safety.
The Ontario fire marshal is also considering changes to the province’s fire code to address the heightened risks of lithium-ion battery fires. To prevent such incidents, Toronto Fire advises using safety-tested and certified devices, following manufacturer guidelines for charging and storage, and keeping batteries away from flammable materials.