Iran Press/America: The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon at the Moss Landing Power Plant, a coastal facility in Monterey County owned by Vistra Energy. Company spokesperson Jenny Lyon confirmed that on-site personnel were evacuated and that investigations into the cause would begin once the fire is extinguished.
“Firefighters are allowing the fire to burn itself out due to the complexities of lithium-ion blazes,” reported local broadcaster KSBW8. Authorities have yet to determine how long the fire might rage, with Monterey County Supervisor Glen Church describing the situation as "a disaster."
The fire’s intensity led to the closure of three major roads, including the iconic Highway 1. Evacuations were swiftly ordered across nearby communities, displacing hundreds of families.
Monterey County spokesperson Nicholas Pasculli noted the fire was contained within the plant’s reinforced concrete structure, minimizing the risk of spreading. However, the incident underscores the challenges of managing massive energy storage facilities designed to bolster renewable energy adoption.
The Moss Landing facility houses tens of thousands of lithium-ion batteries, which store surplus energy from solar and wind power. While vital to California’s ambitious clean energy goals, these batteries are notorious for their potential to ignite and sustain difficult-to-extinguish fires.
214