A fire has broken out at a battery storage facility adjacent to the gas-fueled Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County, California, and locals are urged to shut down air systems and close doors and windows out of an abundance of caution.
The fire began at the lithium-ion battery facility around 3 p.m. PT on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office told ABC7 News, and firefighters were still battling the blaze five hours later. No injuries had been reported, the official said.
Vistra Energy, which owns the plant, said the fire took place in one of its batteries and that on-site personnel had been evacuated.
Jenny Lyon, a spokesperson for the company, told Politico, “The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation will begin once the fire is extinguished.”
Newsweek contacted Vistra Energy and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for comment on Friday via email and telephone, respectively, outside regular office hours.
The fire in Monterey County comes as authorities in California continue to battle a devastating series of wildfires around Los Angeles that have killed at least 25 people and left thousands of others homeless.
Could Moss Landing Power Plant Explode?
Authorities have given no indication that there is a danger of the Moss Landing Power Plant exploding, and the fire is contained to the adjacent battery facility.
If the blaze spreads to the Moss Landing Power Plant itself, the danger of an explosion would rise, as the facility is powered by highly flammable natural gas. The power plant likely also stores chemicals used for cooling, cleaning or other processes, some of which may combust under certain circumstances.
A fire in the power plant could also cause high-pressure systems, such as steam boilers, to fail or lead to electrical systems short-circuiting, either of which could trigger an explosion.
A stock photograph showing the AES Corporation 495-megawatt Alamitos natural-gas-fired power station in Long Beach, California, on October 1, 2009. On Thursday, a fire broke out in a battery facility next to the Moss Landing… A stock photograph showing the AES Corporation 495-megawatt Alamitos natural-gas-fired power station in Long Beach, California, on October 1, 2009. On Thursday, a fire broke out in a battery facility next to the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County. David McNew/GETTY
What Could Happen in Power Plant Fires?
A power plant fire can have serious consequences, including localized damage and widespread environmental, economic and human effects.
Fires often cause extensive damage to equipment and infrastructure, including the destruction of critical systems, such as turbines, generators and control functions. This can lead to long-term operational disruptions and power outages, affecting local or regional energy supplies. This issue could be further exacerbated if there is also damage to grid connections.
The environmental effects of power plant fires can be severe. Fires may release hazardous materials, such as chemicals, ash or even radioactive substances in the case of nuclear plants. Smoke and contaminated water used to combat the fire can lead to air and water pollution, harming nearby ecosystems and potentially affecting public health. These effects can persist long after the fire is extinguished.
What Were the Worst Power Plant Disasters in U.S. History?
The most infamous power plant disasters in U.S. history include the Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania in 1979. A partial meltdown at Unit 2 of the nuclear power plant, caused by equipment failure and human error, released small amounts of radioactive gases into the atmosphere. Although no direct fatalities occurred, the event eroded public confidence in nuclear energy and led to stricter regulatory measures.
Another notable disaster was the Kingston Fossil Plant coal ash spill in Tennessee in 2008. More than a billion gallons of coal ash slurry breached a containment pond, inundating 300 acres with toxic sludge and contaminating nearby waterways. The cleanup operation lasted years and cost more than $1 billion.
Have Evacuation Orders Taken Place in Moss Landing?
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order for a swath of Moss Landing to the ocean south of the Elkhorn Slough, north of Monterey Dunes Way and the Molera Road, and west of both Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Road. This covers the following zones: MRY-B037, MRY-B047, MRY-B050, MRY-B051, MRY-B053, MRY-B058 and MRY-B060.
The Castroville Recreation Center at 11261 Crane Street has been turned into a temporary evacuation point.
