![\"Hillsborough](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Public-Safety-Operations-Complex-Sign.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPublic Safety Operations Complex Sign, courtesy of Hillsborough County’s media kit. Feb. 2026<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPublic Safety Operations Complex Sign, courtesy of Hillsborough County’s media kit. Feb. 2026<\/p>\n
Listen:<\/p>\n
Hillsborough County announced in December an increase of lithium batteries in the County\u2019s waste stream.<\/p>\n
The increase is leading to what the county calls \u201chot loads.\u201d These are battery-induced fires that occur when batteries are compressed with each other in garbage and recycling trucks.<\/p>\n
The compression creates a spark. Then, the spark leads to a fire. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all this flammable material like paper and plastics in the back of a truck,\u201d explained Daniel Gallagher, project manager with Hillsborough County. \u201cIt\u2019s a recipe for a major disaster, and so it can be really scary and dangerous for these drivers, our infrastructure and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the last three years, the county has recorded 30 battery-induced fires. Fifteen of those happened in 2025 alone. Officials expect the trend to continue growing.<\/p>\n
According to Gallagher, battery-production is a booming industry. He says the industry was worth about 20 billion in dollars in 2020. By 2024, that amount had doubled.<\/p>\n
For this year and the next, it is expected to be around 70 billion. <\/p>\n
Lithium batteries are found in common items like household appliances, e-bikes, laptops and phones. These devices carry rechargeable batteries with lifespans of three, five and seven years.<\/p>\n
What is the campaign about?<\/p>\n