Officials in western Prince Edward Island are warning residents to expect more smoke from a persistent battery fire at the Sunbank solar farm near Summerside, almost a week after the blaze began.
Ongoing smouldering, round-the-clock monitoring
Municipal emergency responders say the fire remains active at the site, with individual battery cells continuing to burn off and produce smoke. A statement from city officials said crews will monitor the site 24 hours a day until it is declared extinguished.
“Flare-ups such as this may continue until the fire is officially deemed out,”
The advisory adds that sighting smoke in the days ahead would be expected as those cells smoulder and release gases.
Health guidance and air-quality testing
Island health authorities and the provincial chief medical officer of health, Dr. Heather Morrison, have provided guidance for residents. Officials reiterate that people who are sensitive to smoke or have underlying respiratory conditions should consider reducing outdoor activity while the fire persists.
On Thursday, Dr. Morrison said results from air-quality monitoring showed gases from the burning batteries did not pose a threat to residents, based on advice from toxicology experts at the Atlantic Poison Control Centre in Halifax. She added that the gases were dissipating quickly.
“It is safe to exercise and be outside,”
Dr. Morrison said in a social media video, while cautioning that anyone experiencing persistent or significant symptoms should seek medical advice.
Disruptions already felt in the community
The battery fire prompted an immediate shelter-in-place order on Monday, along with a voluntary evacuation notice, road closures and the closure of two schools the following day. The shelter-in-place order was quickly downgraded to a voluntary advisory and was later lifted as conditions improved; the two schools have since reopened.
Emergency teams emphasise that battery fires — particularly those involving lithium-ion cells commonly used to store electricity from solar panels — can be stubborn. Officials pointed to the potential for smouldering to continue long after an initial blaze, requiring sustained monitoring.
What residents should know
- Expect visible smoke at and around the Sunbank solar farm while battery cells continue to burn.
- Monitor local advisories — the emergency response team is on site 24/7 and will update the public as conditions change.
- Reduce outdoor activity if you have respiratory sensitivity or underlying health conditions, following provincial guidance.
- Seek medical attention if you experience persistent breathing difficulties or other significant symptoms.
Timeline of key events
| Event | Action taken |
|---|---|
| Initial fire | Shelter-in-place order issued, voluntary evacuation notice, road closures |
| Following day | Two local schools closed |
| Later in the week | Advisory downgraded and later lifted; schools reopened |
| Thursday | Air-quality testing reported gases not a threat; experts say gases dissipating |
| Ongoing | Emergency team monitoring site 24/7; flare-ups possible until fire declared out |
Officials referenced a 2023 report by the U.S.-based Fire Protection Research Foundation noting that lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if damaged by impacts or exposed to water. Under some circumstances, either type of damage can lead to prolonged smouldering.
For now, residents are being asked to stay informed through municipal and provincial channels and to follow health advice tailored to those with respiratory vulnerabilities. Emergency crews remain at the Sunbank site as they manage the blaze and monitor for any further flare-ups.
More updates will be issued by local authorities as monitoring continues and when the fire is officially declared out.
