Fire Erupts at California Battery Storage Plant, Evacuation Orders Issued

The plant is home to one of the most extensive battery storage systems in the world.

Flames rise after a major fire erupted at the Moss Landing Power Plant, located about 77 miles south of San Francisco, Calif., on Jan.16, 2025, in a still from video. KSBW via AP

Evacuations are underway in Northern California after a major fire broke out on Thursday afternoon at one of the world’s largest battery storage plants.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders shortly after 6:30 p.m., following the fire that erupted at the Moss Landing Power Plant about 3 p.m. The plant is located about 77 miles south of San Francisco.

Monterey County police have closed multiple roads and are urging residents living in specific zones within the area—zones MRY-047 and MRY-B053—to keep windows and doors closed and shut off ventilation systems until further notice.

Health officials are also advising nearby residents to limit outdoor exposure and to monitor local news and social media for additional updates.

A portion of the state’s Highway 1 was also closed. It is not clear when it will reopen.

North Monterey County Unified School District has announced that all schools and offices will be closed Friday because of the fire.

The cause of the fire remains unclear.

The battery storage plant, owned by the Texas-based company Vistra Energy, houses tens of thousands of lithium batteries that are important for storing electricity generated from renewable energy sources like solar power. If the batteries ignite, the fires can be extremely difficult to extinguish.

Vistra said in a statement that it had safely evacuated everyone onsite as soon as the blaze erupted. Once the fire has been put out, the company will begin an investigation into the blaze, a spokesperson said.

“Our top priority is the safety of the community and our personnel, and Vistra deeply appreciates the continued assistance of our local emergency responders,” Jenny Lyon, a spokesperson for Vistra, said in a statement.

The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson for Vistra Energy for further comment.

Video footage of the blaze circulating on social media shows flames sending thick clouds of black smoke into the air. The National Weather Service Bay Area noted in a post on social media platform X that the heat signature from the blaze was visible in satellite imagery.

The Moss Landing Power Plant is a 1,060-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant that has been in operation near the Moss Landing Harbor since 2022, according to the California Energy Commission. It was originally built and owned by Pacific Gas & Electric, beginning commercial operation in 1950.

Fires previously broke out at the Vistra plant in 2021 and 2022. They were caused by a fire sprinkler system malfunction that resulted in some units overheating, according to The Mercury News.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.