La Verne Lithium-Ion Fire Today: Evacuations Ordered as Battery Blaze Burns at Water District Facility
A hazardous lithium-ion battery fire at a Metropolitan Water District facility in La Verne, California, has prompted evacuations and emergency response as firefighters continue monitoring battery storage equipment following the initial blaze.
The fire began Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at a battery energy storage system near a solar panel field at the Metropolitan Water District property on Wheeler Avenue. The facility also houses the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant.
The incident triggered evacuation orders for nearby residents, shelter-in-place orders at schools and precautionary closures as firefighters worked to contain the battery fire.
What Happened at the La Verne Water District Facility?
Firefighters were called to the Metropolitan Water District facility at approximately 11:40 a.m. Tuesday after a fire was reported at a battery energy storage system.
The affected battery unit was located on the northeast side of the property near a solar panel field.
When firefighters arrived, they encountered a hazardous battery fire and a small explosion. Crews from the La Verne Fire Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and initially took a defensive approach while assessing the risks associated with the burning lithium-ion batteries.
The city said the original battery storage unit was brought under control, with firefighters using water to cool the equipment and prevent further escalation.
Evacuations Ordered in La Verne
Because of the potential hazards associated with the battery fire, evacuation orders were issued for nearby portions of La Verne.
The city’s emergency information identified the remaining evacuation area as bounded by Moreno Avenue to the west, Foothill Boulevard to the north, B Street to the east, and Paseo Drive, Winterhaven Drive and Kendrick Drive to the south.
Other evacuation areas were subsequently downgraded as conditions improved.
Residents within the remaining evacuation zone were instructed not to return until authorities officially lifted the order.
Schools and University Affected
The fire also affected nearby schools and educational facilities.
Grace Miller Elementary School and Bonita High School were placed under shelter-in-place orders during the emergency response.
Grace Miller Elementary was scheduled to remain closed Wednesday as a precaution.
The University of La Verne also evacuated its campus and canceled classes during the initial emergency. The university announced plans to reopen Wednesday.
The precautions were taken because firefighters were concerned about smoke, air quality and the possibility of further battery activity.
One Person Injured
At least one person was injured during the incident and taken to a hospital.
Initial reports described the injury as minor, although early accounts differed on whether the injured person was identified as an employee or civilian.
No firefighter fatalities have been reported.
Authorities have not reported a death connected with the La Verne battery fire.
Why Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Are Difficult to Control
Lithium-ion battery fires present particular challenges for firefighters because damaged battery cells can experience thermal runaway.
During thermal runaway, heat generated within one battery cell can trigger additional reactions in neighboring cells.
Even after visible flames have been reduced, stored energy and residual heat can create the possibility of renewed fire activity.
That is why firefighters have continued cooling and monitoring the affected equipment rather than treating the incident as completely resolved once the main flames were knocked down.
Crews Monitor a Second Battery Unit
On Wednesday, September 23, firefighters were monitoring a second battery storage unit located near the original fire.
The adjacent unit had been exposed to heat from Tuesday’s blaze and was reportedly showing signs of elevated temperature, smoke and popping sounds.
Fire officials said there was no significant active fire in the second unit at the time of the latest update, but the stored energy represented a continuing potential hazard.
Cooling measures were being used while crews monitored the equipment.
Water Supply Remains Safe
The Metropolitan Water District said the fire has not affected the safety of the community’s water supply.
The Weymouth Water Treatment Plant remains associated with the facility, but officials said the water supply is not impacted by the battery fire.
The city also stated that the water supply remains operational and safe to drink.
This distinction is important because the fire occurred at a water district property but involved the battery energy storage system rather than the treatment process itself.
Air Quality and Hazmat Concerns
Authorities treated the incident as a hazardous-materials situation because burning or overheated lithium-ion batteries can release dangerous gases.
Air-quality monitoring has been conducted around the incident area while crews continue to assess conditions.
Residents in affected areas have been advised to follow evacuation and shelter-in-place instructions and avoid approaching the fire scene.
People who remain outside the affected zone are also being advised to stay away from the facility while emergency operations continue.
Investigation Into the Battery Fire
The precise cause of the fire has not been publicly established.
The city has described the incident as involving a lithium battery explosion, while firefighters continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the initial battery failure.
The investigation will also need to determine why the battery storage system ignited and whether any equipment or environmental factors contributed to the incident.
Further information may be released as fire officials complete their assessment.
Latest La Verne Fire Update
The original battery unit is under control, but firefighters continue to monitor the site because additional batteries remain energized and an adjacent storage unit was affected by heat from the initial fire.
The immediate evacuation area remains subject to official instructions, and residents have been told not to return until authorities lift the order.
The city’s emergency information page continues to provide updates concerning evacuation boundaries, air-quality monitoring and conditions at the facility.
Residents should follow current instructions from La Verne emergency officials rather than relying on older evacuation maps or social media reports.
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