Fire at Victoria-area landfill may have been caused by lithium-ion battery, officials say

An April 25 fire at Hartland Landfill is seen in this image handed out by the Capital Regional District.

A large fire at the landfill that services the Greater Victoria area may have been caused by an improperly disposed of lithium-ion battery, according to officials.

The Capital Regional District says the fire at Hartland Landfill began after 7 p.m. Saturday in the active disposal area.

Saanich Fire Department crews remained on scene for several hours, until the fire was fully extinguished early Sunday morning.

Last August, the CRD warned that fires at Hartland Landfill are on the rise, largely due to improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries.

The batteries are used in tech devices like phones, laptops and e-bikes, and are safe when used correctly but can ignite if crushed or punctured in the landfill, the district explained.

“This poses serious risks to workers, emergency crews, and the environment,” the CRD wrote in a notice.

Residents are urged to never put batteries in household garbage or blue bins, and instead bring them to the appropriate recycling depot.