Shed Fire in Fort Collins Highlights Growing Lithium-Ion Battery Risks During Fire Prevention Week
A lithium-ion battery fire destroyed a shed and damaged five vehicles at a commercial property in Fort Collins on May 22, causing an estimated $10,000 in property loss and highlighting the growing fire risks from increasingly common rechargeable batteries.
Poudre Fire Authority crews responded to the 1000 block of East Laurel after receiving reports of smoke plumes. Firefighters arrived to find a fully involved shed fire that had extended to at least five vehicles, a nearby fence, and overhead trees before the flames were extinguished.
The incident, which PFA disclosed October 8 as part of Fire Prevention Week, underscores safety concerns about lithium-ion batteries that power smartphones, tablets, power tools, lawn equipment, e-cigarettes, headphones and toys found in most Northern Colorado homes.
Fire Prevention Week runs October 5-11 under the theme "Charge into Safety: Lithium-ion Batteries in Your Home," commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The observance represents the oldest public health campaign in the United States, established by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 and coordinated nationally by the National Fire Protection Association.
Battery Fires Require Specialized Response
PFA previously announced comprehensive Fire Prevention Month activities focused on battery safety education after responding to six lithium-ion battery fires in 2024 involving motorcycles, vans and landscape equipment.
Damaged or improperly used lithium-ion batteries can overheat, causing fires or explosions in residential and commercial settings, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The organization recommends three core safety practices: purchasing tested products from reputable manufacturers, charging devices properly using correct cables on hard surfaces without overcharging, and recycling batteries at certified disposal centers rather than discarding them in household trash.
Between 2013 and 2020, lithium-ion batteries caused 245 fires at 64 waste management facilities across the United States, according to Environmental Protection Agency analysis, demonstrating the importance of proper disposal procedures for protecting both individual properties and community infrastructure.
Certified Products Reduce Fire Risks
PFA emphasized that residents should purchase only products bearing certification marks from nationally recognized testing laboratories, indicating the items meet established safety standards.
Products carrying UL (Underwriters Laboratories), ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories), or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) marks have undergone third-party testing for electrical safety, fire risk, overheating, and short-circuit protection. UL testing standards verify that batteries and devices limit the risk of fire or explosion under normal and some abnormal conditions.
Products without these certification marks may have higher risks of non-compliance with recognized fire safety protections. The marks are typically found on product labels or in accompanying safety documentation.
Proper Charging Prevents Overheating
Fire officials recommend using only manufacturer-supplied charging cables and following all manufacturer instructions for charging procedures. Residents needing replacement chargers should purchase them directly from manufacturers or use manufacturer-approved alternatives.
Devices should be charged on hard surfaces rather than on beds, couches, or pillows that could cause overheating and ignite. PFA emphasized that residents should unplug devices or remove batteries once fully charged rather than leaving them connected indefinitely.
Warning signs of battery problems include swelling, unusual heat generation, strange odors, or visible damage to battery casings. Devices showing these symptoms should be discontinued immediately and taken to appropriate recycling centers for safe disposal.
Fire officials recommend charging batteries between 41 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit and storing them in dry, well-ventilated areas away from flammable materials. Residents should never charge batteries overnight or leave devices unattended during charging cycles, and should avoid damaged charging cables or equipment.
Safe Disposal Protects Community Infrastructure
Lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in regular trash or curbside recycling bins due to fire hazards during collection and processing, according to PFA and local waste management authorities.
Larimer County residents can recycle lithium-ion batteries at the Timberline Recycling Center at 1903 South Timberline Road in Fort Collins. The facility accepts batteries as "hard-to-recycle" materials Tuesday through Saturday, with hours varying by season. A $5 entry fee applies to the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard.
All batteries must have terminals taped with clear tape or be placed in individual plastic bags before drop-off to prevent short-circuits during transport and storage. The facility operates from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from April through October, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from November through March.
Weld County residents can dispose of lithium-ion batteries at the Weld County Household Hazardous Waste North Facility at 1311 North 17th Avenue in Greeley. The facility requires identification proving county residency and follows similar battery preparation procedures.
Additional recycling options include Green Girl Recycling at 1801 Boston Avenue in Longmont, which serves both Larimer and Weld Counties for commercial and residential battery recycling.
Educational Campaign Expands Through Community Partnership
PFA partnered with Jamie Hill State Farm Insurance and the National Fire Protection Association to expand lithium-ion battery safety education throughout October, providing funding for educational banners at all 13 PFA fire stations and classroom materials distributed to schools.
The agency serves approximately 212,000 residents across Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte, Bellvue and surrounding areas in Larimer and Weld Counties, responding to thousands of emergency calls annually while maintaining comprehensive fire prevention education programs.
Fire Prevention Week activities complement PFA's year-round safety initiatives including second-grade Safety House programs, fire extinguisher training, and interactive safety demonstrations conducted in collaboration with local schools and community groups.