Massive Fire at California Battery Plant Forces Evacuations

Major Fire Breaks Out at One of the World’s Largest Battery Plants in California, Leading to Evacuations

A massive fire erupted Thursday afternoon at one of the largest battery storage plants in the world, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people and the closure of part of Highway 1 in Northern California.

The fire, which sent towering flames and thick black smoke into the sky, forced authorities to evacuate around 1,500 residents from Moss Landing and the surrounding Elkhorn Slough area. As of Friday morning, some containment had been achieved, but the blaze remained active within the boundaries of the facility, according to Monterey County spokesperson Nicholas Pasculli. Most evacuees had sought shelter with family or friends, while a few dozen were relocated to a temporary evacuation center.

The fire occurred at the Moss Landing Power Plant, situated about 77 miles south of San Francisco. The plant, owned by Texas-based Vistra Energy, houses tens of thousands of lithium-ion batteries used for storing renewable energy, including solar power. While these batteries are crucial for energy storage, fires involving them can be especially challenging to extinguish.

“This is a disaster, there’s no way to sugar coat it,” said Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church in an interview with KSBW-TV. He added that he did not expect the flames to spread beyond the concrete structure that houses the batteries.

The fire is the latest in a series of incidents at the Vistra facility. In 2021 and 2022, the plant experienced fires caused by a malfunctioning fire sprinkler system, which led to overheating units.

As for the current blaze, the cause remains unclear. Vistra Energy has stated that everyone at the site was safely evacuated as soon as the fire was detected. The company emphasized that the safety of the community and its employees is its top priority, and an investigation will begin once the fire is under control.

“We deeply appreciate the continued assistance of our local emergency responders,” said Jenny Lyon, a spokesperson for Vistra Energy.

In response to the fire, the North Monterey County Unified School District announced that all schools and offices would be closed on Friday.

An emergency meeting of the county’s Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Friday morning to receive updates on the situation.

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