A significant fire broke out at the Vistra battery storage facility in Moss Landing, known as one of the largest grid battery storage plants in the world, on Thursday afternoon around 3 PM. Thankfully, all on-site employees were safely evacuated, and there are no reported injuries among personnel or emergency responders, according to the County of Monterey.
Firefighters are currently not extinguishing the fire, as the lithium batteries involved need to burn themselves out to be contained safely. The situation remains a major concern due to the potential for toxic fumes when burning lithium batteries. As of early Friday morning, while the flames had lessened significantly, smoke was still present, and the fire continued to burn in some areas. Reports indicate that about 75% of the facility has been affected by the fire.
In response to the emergency, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has called in additional agencies for support. Local officials have advised residents to keep windows and doors closed, avoid the area to enable emergency access, and turn off air systems until further notice. A temporary evacuation center has been established at the Castroville Recreation Center for those displaced by the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and officials plan to begin a thorough inquiry once the fire is fully extinguished. This is not the first time the Moss Landing area has dealt with such incidents; there was a prior fire at a nearby Tesla Power Storage facility on September 20, 2022, when a Tesla Megapack battery ignited.
In light of the fire, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is holding an emergency meeting to discuss the issue, with a news conference scheduled for 10 AM to update the public. Locally, school closures have been announced in the North Monterey County Unified School District, and Hartnell College has also closed its Castroville Education Center. Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s schools will remain open for now but are monitoring air quality closely.
Despite the challenges presented by the fire, there is a collective effort from local leaders and emergency responders to ensure community safety. Assemblymember Dawn Addis expressed her commitment to transparency and accountability surrounding the facility’s safety, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, ongoing communication and updates from officials aim to keep residents informed, underscoring the importance of community support in navigating this emergency. The situation serves as a reminder of the evolving challenges posed by energy storage technologies and the necessity for robust safety measures.