Smoke rises from the Vistra Corp. lithium battery energy storage facility at the Moss Landing power plant on Jan. 16 2025. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file)

MOSS LANDING >> Nineteen months after a battery facility at the Moss Landing power plant caught fire and burned for days, the facility once again ignited early Friday morning. 

The fire is on the north side of the facility, in “an existing structure that sustained significant damage” in the January 2025 fire, according to a Monterey County Sheriff’s Office press release. The batteries burning Friday were previously damaged and fire personnel were first dispatched shortly after 6 a.m. 

County officials expect the fire may burn itself out within 24 hours, according to the statement. The facility contains lithium batteries, which react explosively to water. Fire personnel have said they cannot do much to suppress the fire and must let it burn itself out.

Last year, the fire sent massive plumes of smoke into the air and triggered evacuations. Many residents have complained of health effects related to smoke that may contain various hazardous substances but local, state and federal health officials have maintained that the levels released by the fire were not a threat to human health.

The Vistra Corp.-owned facility has been in the process of being cleaned up and decommissioned following the 2025 fire. 

“This is related to the cleanup. There has always been a concern that the cleanup could cause ignition of the remaining batteries as they are removed. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened,” Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church wrote in an email Friday morning. Church advised residents to stay indoors and said the smoke has so far been mostly drifting west towards the ocean.

A KSBW Action News 8 camera began live streaming the incident, and as of 10:45 a.m. Friday it showed a continuous stream of smoke rising from the facility, but no live flames. Watch the livestream on YouTube.

Highway 1 remained open as of 10:45 a.m. but motorists were asked to avoid the area. Dolan Road was closed as of 10:45 a.m.

Residents near the plant were advised to shelter in place. To reduce smoke exposure, keep windows closed, run an air filter, and wear a mask when outdoors. 

“The County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management is activated and coordinating with multiple local, state, and federal agencies,” the county press release stated. “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has air monitors operating in the area. Fire personnel are also using drones to assess conditions and gather information.”

To receive Monterey County emergency information, visit the Alert Monterey County website.

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