Fire Breaks Out at Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County

A fire broke out at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County on Thursday afternoon, leading to evacuation orders and the closure of State Route 1. The incident occurred at a battery storage facility operated by Vistra Energy around 3 p.m., as reported by CBS News.

Following the blaze, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for areas south of Elkhorn Slough, north of Molera Road and Monterey Dunes Way, and west of Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Road to the ocean. Residents in the vicinity were advised to close windows and doors, turn off air systems, and remain indoors to reduce exposure to potential hazardous materials.

As a precautionary measure, the California Highway Patrol closed State Route 1 at Salinas Road, with no specified timeline for reopening. Firefighters, emergency medical services, and HAZMAT teams responded to the scene, opting to allow the fire to burn out due to its contained nature and the absence of nearby flammable structures.

The primary concern shifted to air quality due to the smoke’s chemical composition. Vistra Energy assured that all on-site personnel were safely evacuated and that investigations into the fire’s cause are ongoing.

In a statement to KRON4, Vistra Energy emphasized their commitment to safety and gratitude for the local emergency responders’ support. The company confirmed that the fire originated in the 300-MW Phase I energy storage facility at the Moss Landing Power Plant site and that a thorough investigation will be conducted once the fire is extinguished.

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