Battery Storage Thermal Events
Several U.S. incidents led to shelter‑in‑place orders, road closures, and multi‑day monitoring.
Moss Landing, CA (Jan 16–22, 2025) (very large‑scale)
Major BESS fire; 1,500 evacuees; Highway 1 closure; EPA/air monitoring. (Shows worst‑case public measures.)
Articles:
AP News
https://apnews.com/article/7c561fed096f410ddecfb04722a8b1f8
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/17/california-battery-plant-fire-monterey
The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/17/24345859/battery-plant-fire-california-moss-landing-vistra
SFGate
https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/moss-landing-power-plant-fire-20039730.php
CBS Bay Area
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/monterey-county-sheriff-issues-evacuation-orders-due-to-moss-landing-power-plant-fire/
San Diego (Otay Mesa / Kearny Mesa), CA — May 15, 2024 (≈80 MWh; outdoor LFP)
Multi‑day fire at utility BESS; facility taken offline; illustrates shutdown/notification needs.
Articles:
BatteryTechOnline (local citations)
https://www.batterytechonline.com/stationary-batteries/reigniting-san-diego-bess-fire-highlights-thermal-runaway-risks
Melba, ID — Oct 2, 2023 (≈8 MWh; outdoor, substation)
Pre‑commissioning fire; road closures; allowed to burn out over ~3 days; air‑quality testing.
https://www.ktvb.com/video/news/local/update-battery-fire-still-burning-at-idaho-power-substation-in-melba/277-b0d5c281-e2ca-48dd-bea3-ac48d42ac52e
Surprise, AZ (APS McMicken) (Apr 19, 2019)
Firefighters opened a container during a thermal event (2.16 MWh; container/building-style)
Flammable gases accumulated and deflagrated, seriously injuring responders.
Key lessons: gas detection, automatic exhaust/venting, and strict door-opening protocols in a signed Emergency Response plan to prevent gas build-up.
Articles:
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/aps-says-runaway-thermal-event-caused-2019-battery-explosion-outlines-4-st/582475/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Four Firefighters Injured In Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System Explosion- Arizona
https://fsri.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/Four_Firefighters_Injured_In_Lithium_Ion_Battery_ESS_Explosion_Arizona_0.pdf?
East Hampton, NY (May 31, 2023) (≈40 MWh; substation building)
There was a “Smoldering battery”; internal sprinklers; facility offline for months.
Articles:
Newsday
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/battery-east-hampton-lipa-fire-mv0wfe7k
TBR News Media
https://tbrnewsmedia.com/tag/lipa/)
Chaumont (Town of Lyme), NY (Jul 27, 2023) (≈15 MWh; outdoor container)
Container fire; shelter‑in‑place within 1 mile; batteries smoldered for days; air monitoring.
Articles:
NCPR radio report
https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/48280/20230811/solar-battery-fire-in-jefferson-county-raises-concerns-for-the-future
WWNY TV coverage
https://www.wwnytv.com/2023/07/28/convergent-offers-words-apology-solar-farm-fire-continues-burn/
https://storagewiki.epri.com/index.php/Failure_Event_-_US%2C_NY%2C_Chaumont_-_27_Jul_2023
Warwick, NY (June 26–27, 2023 (≈36 MWh & 17.9 MWh; outdoor)
Fire and alarms at two adjacent BESS sites near school buildings; evacuations and smoke concerns.
Articles:
Summary:
https://www.iomosaic.com/news-and-events/news-details/2023/09/19/battery-fires-challenge-warwick-ny-energy-storage-safety-measures
EPRI incident entry (Warwick, NY)
https://storagewiki.epri.com/index.php/Failure_Event_-_US%2C_NY%2C_Warwick_-_27_Jun_2023
East Hampton Star:
https://www.easthamptonstar.com/government/202376/after-fire-substation-new-battery-worries