By Sterling McGinn
About 72 first responders from across Luce and Alger counties gathered February 4 in the Newberry Motors showroom for a specialized training seminar, “Let’s Talk EV Fires,” aimed at preparing local crews for the growing number of electric vehicles on Upper Peninsula roads.
The session was led by Ken Smylie, vice president of Loss Control at Comprehensive Risk Services and the Michigan Automobile Dealers Self-Insurance Fund, and focused on the unique challenges first responders face when dealing with electric-vehicle fires.
Unlike gasoline vehicles, EVs contain large lithium-ion battery packs that can ignite in a process called thermal runaway, producing extremely high heat, toxic gases, and fires that can reignite hours or even days later. Firefighters often must apply thousands of gallons of water to cool the battery pack, and standard suppression methods may not work as expected. Crews also face hazards from damaged high voltage systems, making scene safety, vehicle identification, and proper shutdown procedures critical.
It was noted that EV fires can burn longer than conventional car fires, may be difficult to access because batteries are sealed within the vehicle frame, and can require special towing and storage procedures after the incident.
Participating agencies included Newberry, Garfield Township, Seney, Munising and Trenary fire departments, Luce EMS, and the Luce County Sheriff’s Department. The training covered fire behavior, response considerations, scene management, and safety protocols tailored to rural departments that may have limited manpower or water supply.
