Calgary fire officials warn of rising e‑scooter battery fires
Posted May 28, 2026 4:17 pm.
Calgary fire officials are sounding the alarm about a fast‑growing safety hazard tied to e-scooters.
The Calgary Fire Department says lithium‑ion battery fires linked to the scooters and other devices nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, causing more than $30 million in damage and prompting renewed warnings about charging, storage and equipment safety.
Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth says the surge in incidents is tied to several factors, including overcharging, incompatible chargers, physical damage to batteries and poor construction. He notes that many low‑quality offshore batteries don’t meet Canadian safety standards and are more likely to fail.
Modifying e‑scooters or e‑bikes to increase speed or power also creates major fire risks. Dongworth says the changes push the devices beyond their design.
“Increasing the power of your e-bike or e-scooter to go faster sounds all great, except you’re moving it away from a certified, validated piece of equipment,” Dongworth says.
Once a lithium‑ion battery ignites, the fire can be explosive and release toxic, highly flammable vapours, according to Dongworth.
Fire officials say the trend is continuing this year, citing another costly blaze involving a high‑end auto shop and an electric vehicle.
Calgarians are warned not to throw lithium‑ion batteries in the garbage, since compactors in trucks and landfills can crush them and spark fires.
Dongworth says charging habits matter as well, urging people not to charge devices in apartment hallways or other possible escape routes. Fire crews are encouraging residents to recycle batteries at approved depots and to avoid leaving devices charging unattended.
