Toronto has already surpassed its all-time annual record for lithium-ion battery fires, reporting 97 incidents so far in 2026.. Fire officials are now demanding stricter federal and provincial regulations on how these batteries are imported and stored to prevent high-temperature blazes.
The 200 per cent surge in Toronto's battery blazes
The scale of the current crisis is underscored by a dramatic upward trend in emergency calls. According to Toronto Fire Services, the city recorded 91 incidents in all of 2025, a figure that was the previous record. However, with four months remaining in 2026, Toronto has already hit 97 incidents, representing a more than 200 per cent increase since the fire service began tracking these specific events four years ago.
This spike is not an isolated anomaly but a reflection of the ubiquity of rechargeable power. Paul Boissonneault, the Fire Chief in Oakville and secretary with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), noted that the rise is expected given the "tremendous amount of increasing usage" of lithium-ion technology across the city.
Why Chief Matthew Jessop warns of projectiles and toxic gases
The danger of these fires extends far beyond the initial flame. Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Jessop has highlighted that lithium-ion blazes move faster than typical fires and can cause batteries to explode, effectively turning components into projectiles. Furthermore, these batteries can emit toxic gases for hours after the fire appears to be out, requiring constant monitoring by emergency crews.
The aftermath of these incidents also creates a long-term health hazard for first responders. As reported by Toronto Fire Services, the chemicals released during these fires leave carcinogens on firefighting gear, which necessitates a specialized and rigorous decontamination process to ensure the safety of the personnel involved.
The late 2010s shift toward micromobility risks
While lithium-ion batteries have been common in laptops and cell phones since the 2000s, the current surge is tied to a specific shift in consumer behavior. The late 2010s saw a massive increase in the production of micromobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, which utilize much larger battery packs than handheld electronics.
Toronto Fire Services identifies the batteries in these e-bikes and scooters as the primary culprits, particularly when the units are modified, damaged, or overcharged. the volatility of these larger cells means that a single failure can lead to a deadly situation in a matter of seconds, often in residential settings where flammable materials are present .
The 2030 target for national building and fire code updates
Efforts to curb the risk are currently focused on long-term legislative changes. Paul Boissonneault of the CAFC stated that the organization is looking toward planned updates to the national building and fire codes scheduled for 2030. These updates are intended to create a "standardized and harmonized" national approach to battery safety.
In the interim, the Ontario fire marshal has indicated to CBC Toronto that changes to the provincial fire code are being considered to address the immediate risks. Simultaneously, the CAFC is collaborating with Health Canada to propose tighter controls on the import of batteries to ensure they meet safety standards before entering the Canadian market.
Which offshore imports lack critical safety ratings?
A significant gap remains in the oversight of the supply chain. Paul Boissonneault has expressed serious concern regarding products arriving from offshore sources that lack recognized saftey ratings, yet the specific countries of origin or the brands most frequently linked to these failures remain undisclosed in current reports.
It remains unclear whether Health Canada has the current capacity to intercept these non-certified batteries at the border or if the burden of safety will continue to fall on the consumer. While Toronto Fire Services advises users to only buy certified devices, the market for cheap, unbranded e-mobility products continues to grow faster than the regulations designed to police them.
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