In Toronto, the Fire Service has issued an alert following three separate fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in just 24 hours, highlighting the growing concern over these devices. Fire Chief Jim Jessop emphasized the severity of the situation, and Division Chief Marla Friebe expressed that such incidents are especially alarming given the upward trend in related fires. This increase signals a pressing need for safety awareness and regulation surrounding the use of lithium-ion batteries.

Between January 1 and February 23, 2025, there were 18 incidents involving lithium-ion batteries, starkly up from six during the same timeframe in 2024. Additionally, the Toronto Fire Service pointed to a troubling trend with 90 total fires reported in 2025, a significant rise from the previous year. This alarming statistical spike includes a dramatic 63% increase from 2023 and a staggering 210% jump from 2022, indicating that this issue is not merely a temporal anomaly but part of a longer-term pattern.

Fire officials have noted that the majority of these incidents are associated with micromobility devices, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-hoverboards. These vehicles' widespread adoption has raised concerns regarding their safety, especially when users modify or tamper with the batteries. The collective response from the city's fire service aims not only to address these recent incidents but also to educate the public on the proper use and handling of lithium-ion batteries to prevent further emergencies in the future.