A lithium-ion battery fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant in California led to an evacuation last month, according to CNN.
Authorities lifted the evacuation order after air quality monitoring indicated safe conditions.
Monterey County officials reported that the fire at the Vistra Energy-owned facility released a plume containing hydrogen fluoride.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Vistra Energy deployed air quality monitoring equipment, which did not detect hazardous levels of the gas, North County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Joel Mendoza said.
County officials initially advised residents to stay indoors and limit outdoor exposure.
Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church stated: “This event really needs a full investigation at all levels of government.”
The facility, which serves as a large-scale battery storage site, remains offline as authorities investigate the cause.
Firefighters allowed the fire to burn out due to the volatile nature of lithium-ion batteries.
Mendoza confirmed that flare-ups continued as individual battery cells ignited, but the fire was eventually contained.
“There are few active flames and very little release of combustion byproducts,” Mendoza said.
He also noted that there were no injuries reported among civilians, plant personnel, or emergency responders.
The North Monterey County Unified School District closed all schools and offices for one day due to safety concerns.
The district serves more than 4,500 students across a 70-square-mile area.
Authorities conducted extensive air quality monitoring before lifting the evacuation order.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated that the order was removed after deploying “more advanced monitoring systems” and ensuring safety.
Drones were used to assess the situation, with footage showing approximately 40% of the battery storage building damaged by fire.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and emergency services worked to monitor potential chemical exposure risks.
Following the incident, local officials emphasized the need for improved safety measures in large-scale battery storage facilities.
The fire comes three years after a previous incident at the Moss Landing facility.
In 2021, a malfunction triggered a heat suppression system, damaging 7% of the batteries.
That event was attributed to a faulty component and did not require outside assistance.
The facility, described by Vistra Energy as “the largest of its kind in the world,” has a capacity of 750 megawatts and plays a role in stabilizing California’s energy grid.
Lithium-ion battery storage is increasingly used to support renewable energy sources, but the US Fire Administration warns of potential chemical exposure risks when batteries overheat.
In 2023, California passed a law requiring battery storage facilities to implement stricter safety and communication protocols following a separate fire at another plant.
A lithium-ion battery fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant in California led to an evacuation last month.
Monterey County officials confirmed that the fire released a plume containing hydrogen fluoride, though air quality monitoring later deemed conditions safe.
Firefighters allowed the blaze to burn out, citing lithium-ion battery hazards.
Authorities reported no injuries.
The facility, operated by Vistra Energy, remains offline as officials investigate the cause.
The incident follows a 2021 battery malfunction at the same site.
Drone assessments showed that about 40% of the building housing the battery storage was damaged.
Local officials and emergency responders emphasized the need for further safety measures.
California recently enacted legislation to strengthen battery storage safety protocols following similar incidents.
