Moss Landing, California — A fire broke out at the Vistra Energy battery storage plant in Moss Landing, one of the largest such facilities in the world. The fire, which broke out late Thursday afternoon, has sent plumes of dangerous black smoke into the air, prompting evacuations, road closures and major emergency response measures.
Officials said the fire broke out at the plant on Highway 1 in Monterey County around 3 p.m. Flames and smoke continued to billow from the facility, which contains thousands of lithium batteries designed to store electricity generated during the day for use at night. The cause of the fire remains unclear.
The evacuation order applies to areas south of Elkhorn Slaw, north of Moraira Road and Monterey Dunes Road, and west of Castroville Boulevard. About 1,500 residents were displaced. The Castroville Recreation Center, located at 11261 Crane Street, is serving as a temporary evacuation center.
Highway 1 is closed in both directions between Highway 183 and Struve Road. Officials have not yet provided an estimated reopening date.
Monterey County spokesman Nicholas Pasculli:
“Residents must comply with evacuation orders and follow the instructions of law enforcement and fire personnel,” Pasculi said. “In this situation, we take the idea of protecting life and property very seriously. We implore people to comply with evacuation orders and go to a safe location. .
The plant, operated by Texas-based Vistra Energy, is a cornerstone of California's clean energy strategy. Its vast renewable energy storage capacity is an important part of the state's transition to green electricity. The facility will be expanded in 2023 to accommodate 750 megawatts of electricity, enough to power thousands of homes.
Lithium battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish because they produce high temperatures and toxic gases, posing risks to respiratory health, skin and eyes. All employees have been safely evacuated and emergency response teams are working to contain the fire within the concrete structure of the factory. Officials said that although the fire was widespread, it was “contained” within the building.
This isn't the first time a fire has broken out at a Moss Landing construction site. Previous incidents in 2021 and 2022 were attributed to sprinkler failures and system flaws, leading to heightened scrutiny of battery storage safety. The incidents prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to require battery plants to develop emergency response plans with local fire departments.
As authorities investigate this latest incident, concerns are growing about the safety of the facilities and their proximity to densely populated areas. This is a developing story and updates are expected as more information becomes available.
H//T JWG, Duman,
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