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 Vitality, in response to CBS News.
In response, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Workplace issued evacuation orders for areas south of Elkhorn Slough, north of Molera Street and Monterey Dunes Approach, and west of Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Street 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 Approach, 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 programs, and keep indoors to reduce publicity to potential hazardous supplies.
The California Freeway Patrol closed State Route 1 at Salinas Street, with no estimated time for reopening.
Fireplace crews, EMS, and HAZMAT responded, seemingly letting the hearth burn itself out because of its contained nature and the shortage of close by flammable constructions.
The first concern is now air high quality because of the chemical composition of the smoke.
Vistra Vitality reported that every one website personnel have been safely evacuated and that the reason for the hearth stays underneath investigation.
In an announcement to KRON4, Vistra Vitality releases the next:
There’s an ongoing hearth at our Moss Touchdown Energy Plant website. Our prime 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 Fireplace District after a fireplace was detected within the 300-MW Part I power storage facility on the Moss Touchdown Energy Plant website. All website personnel have been safely evacuated.
The reason for the hearth has not but been decided, however an investigation will start as soon as the hearth is extinguished.
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