Full Breakdown
Fire at Moss Landing Power Plant Triggers Shelter-in-Place Orders
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
A fire was reported shortly after 6:15 a.m. on September 18 2026 at the Moss Landing Power Plant, a former natural-gas plant now housing lithium-ion battery storage. Flames were seen on the north side of a structure damaged in the 2025 battery fire and involved already-compromised batteries. County officials said the blaze is “not comparable” to the 2025 incident and expect it to burn out within 24 hours. All on-site personnel have been accounted for; no injuries have been reported.
Background & Context
The facility, operated by Vistra Energy, suffered a massive fire in 2025 that damaged roughly half of its 100,000 battery modules. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has overseen a multi-phase cleanup, including removal of accessible batteries and demolition of the damaged building. The current fire erupted during the final phase of that cleanup, which began in early September 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office issued a shelter-in-place order for residents within one-third of a mile of 7301 Highway 1.
- A unified command was activated, comprising the Sheriff’s Office, the Monterey County Emergency Operations Center, and the North Monterey County Fire District.
- The California Highway Patrol closed Dolan Road between Highway 1 and Via Tanques Road; Highway 1 remained open with a request to avoid the area.
- Vistra Energy reported crews identified a flare-up along the north wall of the “300 building,” that air-quality monitors are active, and that a natural-gas generator on site was temporarily shut down.
- EPA officials confirmed continuous air monitoring and said no hydrogen fluoride or PM2.5 exceedances were detected.
Data & Statistics
- Approximately 1,500 batteries that remained “hard-to-access” after the 2025 cleanup are involved in the current fire.
- The shelter-in-place zone covers an area within one-third of a mile of the plant; alert zones include MRY-B047, MRY-B050, and MRY-B053.
- Traffic impacts are limited to the Dolan Road closure; Highway 1 remains operational.
Why It Matters
The flare-up underscores the ongoing fire risk of damaged lithium-ion batteries even after extensive remediation. Local officials view the incident as a “wake-up call” for the industry and regulators overseeing large-scale energy-storage projects.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Coverage of the 2025 fire varies on the number of residents evacuated, citing either “more than 1,000” or “1,200” evacuees. The exact figure remains unverified. No public data have been released on the precise quantity of remaining battery material slated for removal in the final cleanup phase.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There has always been a concern that the cleanup could cause ignition of the remaining batteries as they are removed,” — County Supervisor Glenn Church
- “Close all windows and doors. Avoid the area and do not go outside to observe the fire or smoke.” — Additional notice
- “I’m frustrated and deeply concerned by the repeat fire at Moss Landing,” — Dawn Addis
