Fire at Moss Landing Lithium Battery Plant Forces Evacuations, Closes Highway 1 in Monterey County

Jan 17, 2025, 04:24 AM

A fire broke out shortly after 3 p.m. PST on Thursday at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County, California, prompting evacuation orders and road closures. The fire occurred at the Vistra Energy-owned facility's lithium battery storage unit, one of the largest in the world housing tens of thousands of lithium batteries. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation orders for areas near Elkhorn Slough, specifically Zones MRY-B047 and MRY-B053. Residents have been advised to close windows and doors and shut off air systems due to toxic heavy metal smoke. Highway 1 is closed in both directions at Salinas Road and Merritt Street. The Castroville Recreation Center is serving as a temporary evacuation point. Fire crews and emergency personnel are on the scene working to contain the blaze.