MI Departments Add Special Blanket to Quell Flames on Electric Vehicles

It's not just a blanket. It's a special one that's now carried on vehicles in Shelby Township fire trucks.

"These were bought specifically to help us in the event of an electric vehicle fire," Lt. Robert Muylaert, Shelby Township Fire told reporters. .

"It can take four to five hours to extinguish a battery fire and after that, once it gets to a tow yard, they have had those fires reignite - even two to three days afterward," Muylaert said.

Thanks to a grant obtained by Macomb County Emergency Management, the blankets were purchased, he added.

"It has Nomex in there, the same type of thing our fire gear is made of," he said. "(It can) withstand temperatures over 2,000 degrees to help suppress the flames."

It smothers the fire, cutting off the oxygen, and making sure the fire stays out.

A fire blanket is a one-time use deal - meaning they will cover the vehicle on fire and leave it that way even after it’s towed away to a salvage yard, to prevent it from reigniting.

Not only does the blanket save time, it saves water as well.