Planck Vision Systems manufactures thermal imaging solutions for portable inspection and 24/7 monitoring of commercial applications including: Early Fire Detection, Manufacturing, Substations and Tunnels, Electrical Panel/Cabinets, Storage Facilities, Data Centers and Elevated Body Temperature Screening. Our company is headquartered in Santa Barbara CA, the capital of infrared sensing technologies in the United States.
On a Saturday morning in February 2025, a hybrid electric vehicle caught fire in Ojai due to a thermal runaway in its lithium battery. The fire quickly escalated and could not be extinguished with water, prompting authorities to evacuate nearby residents and issue shelter-in-place orders. Firefighters focused on protecting the area while allowing the flames to burn out. The estimated property loss is $100,000.
NEWS
In February 2025, Ojai experienced a shocking fire incident involving a hybrid electric vehicle. At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Ventura County firefighters responded to a report of a fire in a Volvo XC90, where the vehicle’s lithium battery was undergoing thermal runaway. This chemical reaction leads to extreme temperatures that conventional firefighting methods, such as water, could not extinguish. Fire engineer Andrew Dowd explained that the reaction would continue to burn despite attempts to control it with water.
As the fire continued to escalate, authorities decided that the safest approach would be to protect the nearby neighborhood while letting the fire burn out naturally. Due to the risk of toxic smoke, evacuation orders were issued for residents upwind, while those downwind were instructed to shelter in place indoors. The smoke quickly spread, creating significant public safety concerns.
The decision to allow the fire to burn out was made to avoid further risks, as the extreme nature of the thermal runaway made immediate extinguishing efforts ineffective. The estimated property loss from the fire is approximately $100,000, which includes vehicle damage and cleanup costs.
This incident underscores the risks associated with hybrid electric vehicle lithium batteries and highlights the importance of early fire detection. Utilizing technologies like Planck Vision Systems’ thermal imaging can help detect abnormal temperature changes early in the fire’s progression, providing critical warnings and enabling faster responses before a fire spreads. This early detection can help protect communities and reduce fire-related losses.
Additionally, Planck Vision Systems’ technology offers continuous monitoring, detecting even minor temperature variations, which is crucial in preventing lithium battery fires. For industries across the board, this technology not only ensures operational safety but also significantly reduces the risk of accidents caused by thermal runaway.
For Heavy Industry, Planck Vision Systems leads with superior thermal imaging tailored for diverse industries. Beyond detecting minute temperature variations, our always-on technology ensures system protection, operational excellence, and catches every anomaly. This vigilance minimizes risks, preempting system failures and potential threats.
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