**Firefighters Trained to Handle Electric Vehicle Fires**
Firefighters in Tijuana have been receiving specialized training in the United States to respond to fires involving hybrid and electric vehicles, according to Rafael Carrillo Venegas, head of the Municipal Fire Department. This training is not limited to just fires, but also includes dealing with collisions, rollovers, and other incidents involving high-voltage electrical systems that can pose serious risks, including electrocution.
Carrillo Venegas highlighted the challenges of extinguishing fires in electric vehicles, which involve significant amounts of water and often require the vehicle to be completely submerged. Traditional methods like covering the fire with soil are ineffective because the fire can continue to burn until the lithium and other battery materials are completely consumed. “Sometimes we have to create dikes or earth containers to flood the vehicle and extinguish the flames. Using earth alone would allow the fire to continue until all the lithium and battery material is gone,” Carrillo Venegas explained.
Throughout the year, Tijuana firefighters have responded to two electric vehicle fire incidents. Fortunately, in both cases, the flames did not reach the electrical system. The most recent incident occurred on August 5th, when an electric vehicle caught fire due to a faulty charging connection. In both incidents, no severe complications were reported.
Carrillo Venegas noted that while conventional gasoline or diesel vehicle fires can be extinguished within thirty minutes, electric vehicle fires can take two to three days to put out. The challenge lies in the need to contain the water used to ensure that the battery cells are entirely submerged, as the entire floor of an electric vehicle is made up of batteries.
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### Secondary News Updates: Electric Vehicle Fires
**Tesla Fire Engulfs Vehicle and Home in Tijuana**
In a related incident, a Tesla vehicle fire caused significant damage to both the vehicle and a nearby home in Tijuana. The fire initiated from the vehicle and quickly spread to the adjacent residence. Local firefighters were able to control the blaze, but the event underscored the rising concern over electric vehicle fires and the need for specialized training and equipment.
**Rise in Electric Vehicle Fires Prompts New Training Programs**
As electric vehicles become increasingly common, fire departments across various regions are updating their protocols and training programs. New courses focus on understanding the unique risks posed by electric vehicles, including dealing with high voltages and the intense heat generated by lithium-ion battery fires. These batteries can reignite hours or even days after initially being extinguished, creating ongoing challenges for fire response teams.
**International Policymakers Push for Enhanced Fire Safety Standards**
Globally, authorities are pushing for stricter fire safety standards for electric vehicles. In response to several high-profile incidents, regulatory bodies are considering new guidelines that could mandate additional safety features in electric vehicle manufacturing. These features aim to improve the management and mitigation of fires to protect both vehicle occupants and first responders.
By keeping these developments in mind, TJGringo.com aims to provide comprehensive coverage of the evolving landscape of fire safety in the context of electric and hybrid vehicles. For more detailed updates and expert analyses, stay tuned to our platform.