Holiday travel in southeastern Australia was brought to a standstill on 20 December 2025 after a truck carrying around 15 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries caught fire on the Hume Highway, releasing toxic smoke and closing the road in both directions for hours, authorities reported.
The blaze erupted shortly after 9:30 a.m. near Yass, north of Canberra, when a B-Double truck’s trailer ignited, forcing Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews to respond. Emergency services established an extended exclusion zone due to thick, hazardous smoke from burning lithium batteries, urging locals and motorists to stay away, close windows and doors, and avoid outdoor activity to reduce exposure.
Hume Police District warned residents in the surrounding Yass Valley that the fumes posed respiratory risks, especially for people with asthma, bronchitis or other lung conditions.
“If you reside in the area and suffer respiratory illness or injury, shut windows and doors and stay inside,” authorities said in a social media advisory.
Traffic was halted in both directions along one of Australia’s busiest intercity roads, forcing drivers to detour through Yass township and wait for more than six hours in scorching conditions. Some motorists, trapped in gridlocked traffic, walked parts of the detour while local businesses and residents handed out water and ice lollies to weary travellers.
By 8 p.m., one northbound lane reopened, but southbound lanes remained closed with motorists warned to expect continued delays. Fire crews said they planned to let the lithium battery fire burn out naturally rather than risk contaminated runoff entering local waterways.
Lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and can emit toxic gases, including volatile compounds that pose threats to human health and the environment. This incident adds to a growing number of battery-related fires worldwide, where high-energy battery packs in transport and storage can pose serious hazards if they overheat or sustain damage.
Experts warn that while lithium-ion technology enables electrification and portable power across industries, proper handling, transport protocols, and emergency planning must keep pace with expanding use. Thermal runaway, a rapid, uncontrollable reaction within battery cells, can fuel fierce blazes, releasing smoke that may be toxic or irritating when inhaled.
Officials urge carriers of large battery loads to follow strict safety standards and for communities along major freight routes to be prepared for similar emergencies, stressing that lithium-ion fire risks should not be underestimated as battery demand rises globally.
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