Evacuation Orders Issued in La Verne Due to Battery Fire

The city of La Verne released evacuation orders after a hazardous lithium-ion battery fire erupted Tuesday at a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California facility. Authorities noted that the fire started around 11 a.m. at the site located in the 3200 block of Wheeler Avenue. Responders include the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the La Verne Fire Department, both coordinating efforts to control the blaze.

The fire originated at a battery energy storage system near a solar panel installation situated on the facility’s northeast side, home to the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant. The Metropolitan Water District assured, “The safety of Metropolitan’s water supply is not affected.” They pledged support to assist first responders in ensuring health and safety in the impacted areas.

The La Verne Police Department ordered evacuations for those residing near Wheeler and Bonita avenues. Meanwhile, shelter-in-place directives were instituted at Grace Miller Elementary and Bonita High Schools. The University of La Verne also canceled classes, advising students, faculty, and staff to vacate the premises immediately. An evacuation center is operational at La Verne Community Center, located at 3680 D St. A comprehensive map showing affected areas is available for reference.

Lithium-ion battery fires pose significant challenges due to their potential for thermal runaway. This chemical process, once initiated, cannot be halted, causing the batteries to continue burning for extended periods. Large fires involving numerous batteries may persist for days while emitting hazardous gases, including hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The exact extent of the fire’s hazardous impact in La Verne remains undetermined.

This situation is ongoing and updates will follow as more information becomes available.