MOSS LANDING, Calif. — A major fire broke out Thursday afternoon at one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities, prompting the evacuation of hundreds and the closure of part of Highway 1 in Northern California.
As flames and thick black smoke billowed into the sky, approximately 1,500 residents were ordered to evacuate the Moss Landing and Elkhorn Slough areas. The situation showed little improvement by Thursday night.
The Moss Landing Power Plant, which houses tens of thousands of lithium batteries essential for renewable energy storage, is situated about 77 miles south of San Francisco. These batteries, while critical for solar energy storage, pose significant fire challenges when ignited.
“This is a disaster, plain and simple,” said a local supervisor. Despite the intensity of the fire, officials expressed optimism that it would remain contained within the plant’s concrete structure.
Previous incidents at the facility in 2021 and 2022 were attributed to a malfunctioning fire sprinkler system, leading to overheating issues.
The cause of the current fire remains unknown, but all personnel were evacuated safely once it was detected. An investigation will commence after the fire is extinguished.
“The safety of the community and our team is our highest priority, and we are grateful for the support of local emergency responders,” stated a company spokesperson.
In response to the ongoing situation, the local school district has announced the closure of all schools and offices on Friday.
