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Moss Landing Power Plant Fire Leads to Mass Evacuations in Central California
Residents in the vicinity of the Moss Landing Power Plant in Central California were instructed to evacuate their homes late Thursday evening following a fire that erupted at the facility.
The blaze, which ignited around 3 p.m., primarily affects a section of the plant used for battery storage, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuation orders were put into effect at approximately 6:30 p.m. due to fears that dangerous materials might be released into the surrounding area.
Firefighting crews are actively working to manage the situation, although it has been clarified that this incident is unrelated to the wildfires currently affecting the Los Angeles region.
Officials reported that over 2,000 residents were impacted by the evacuation order, although specific details about the hazardous materials involved have not been disclosed. In response to the fire, local residents were urged by Santa Cruz County Public Health officials to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and minimize outdoor activities.
The Moss Landing facility is recognized as the “largest of its kind in the world” per its owner, Vistra Energy, with a total capacity of 750 megawatts and a storage capability of 3,000 megawatt-hours following an expansion this year. It plays a vital role in the stabilization of California’s energy grid.
Drone technology is being employed by the sheriff’s department to monitor the development of the fire and assess air quality levels. Emergency teams, including medical personnel and sheriff’s deputies, are fully engaged in the response efforts.
The fire remains active, and current strategies focus on allowing it to burn rather than dousing it with water, as threats posed by the lithium-ion batteries dictate the approach. Reports indicate that around 40% of the structure housing the batteries has suffered extensive damage due to the flames.
Vistra Energy has confirmed that it called for assistance from the North Monterey County Fire District following the outbreak of the fire. The cause remains unknown and will be thoroughly investigated once the fire is out.
Given the importance of the facility, which is about 77 miles south of San Francisco and houses a large amount of lithium batteries, both the US Department of Energy and the US Fire Administration have emphasized the risks associated with lithium-ion technology. While these batteries are essential for energy storage from renewable resources, they can release dangerous gases when exposed to high heat or physical damage.
As a precautionary measure, all schools and offices in the North Monterey County Unified School District will be closed on Friday. The district, serving over 4,500 K-12 students across a 70 square-mile area, announced the closure as a response to the ongoing emergency.
This fire marks a significant incident at the facility, occurring roughly three years after a previous emergency that was considered unrelated. In September 2021, a malfunction resulted in battery damage without requiring outside assistance.
In recent months, California has faced increasing scrutiny regarding battery storage safety. Following a fire in another plant in October 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted a bill aimed at increasing fire safety protocols in battery storage facilities.
For those fleeing the blaze, the Castroville Recreation Center has been designated as a temporary evacuation site. In addition, the National Weather Service has released satellite footage showcasing the fire’s heat signatures.
Authorities have yet to determine when the evacuation order may be lifted, as the fire continues to pose a risk to the surrounding environment, an area that includes critical habitats such as the Moss Landing Wildlife Area and Elkhorn Slough.
Source
www.yahoo.com