A fireplace erupted on the Moss Touchdown Energy Plant in Monterey County on Thursday afternoon, prompting evacuation orders and the closure of State Route 1.
The incident started round 3 p.m. at a battery storage facility operated by Vistra Power, in accordance with CBS News.
In response, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Workplace issued evacuation orders for areas south of Elkhorn Slough, north of Molera Highway and Monterey Dunes Method, and west of Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Highway to the ocean.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Workplace has issued Evacuation Orders for areas of Moss Touchdown South of the Elkhorn Slough, North of Molera Rd and Monterey Dunes Method, and West of Castroville Blvd and ElkHorn Rd. to the ocean for the next zones: MRY-B037, MRY-B047, MRY-B050,… pic.twitter.com/rJlivDENYC
— Monterey Co Sheriff (@MCoSheriff) January 17, 2025
Authorities additionally suggested close by residents to shut home windows and doorways, shut off air methods, and keep indoors to attenuate publicity to potential hazardous supplies.
The California Freeway Patrol closed State Route 1 at Salinas Highway, with no estimated time for reopening.
Hearth crews, EMS, and HAZMAT responded, seemingly letting the fireplace burn itself out resulting from its contained nature and the shortage of close by flammable buildings.
The first concern is now air high quality as a result of chemical composition of the smoke.
Vistra Power reported that each one web site personnel have been safely evacuated and that the reason for the fireplace stays below investigation.
In a press release to KRON4, Vistra Power releases the next:
There’s an ongoing hearth at our Moss Touchdown Energy Plant web site. Our high precedence is the security of the group and our personnel, and Vistra deeply appreciates the continued help of our native emergency responders.
Earlier this afternoon, Vistra personnel known as for help from the North Monterey County Hearth District after a fireplace was detected within the 300-MW Part I power storage facility on the Moss Touchdown Energy Plant web site. All web site personnel have been safely evacuated.
The reason for the fireplace has not but been decided, however an investigation will start as soon as the fireplace is extinguished.
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