On January 16, 2025, a large fire broke out at the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in northern California. The facility, owned by Vistra Energy, housed thousands of lithium-ion batteries used to store clean energy like solar power. The Verge, AP News, and Wikipedia. The blaze began in the Phase 1 section, which held about 300 MW of batteries in a concrete building (WikipediaPeople.com).
Evacuations and Immediate Response
The flames started around 3 p.m. on January 16. By evening, authorities ordered 1,200 to 1,500 nearby residents to leave their homes due to worries about toxic smoke and chemical exposure. Energy-Storage.NewsAP News New York Post People.com. Part of Highway 1 was closed, and residents were told to stay inside with windows and ventilation off. SFGATE.
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Why Was the Fire So Dangerous?
Lithium-ion battery fires are hard to fight. They burn very hot and can release toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride. AP News, Wikipedia. Firefighters followed standard protocols: they didn’t try to put the fire out directly but let it burn itself out (Wikipedia/AP News). The concrete enclosure may have helped contain the flames but also allowed the blaze to intensify inside Wikipedia.
Environmental and Health Concerns
Air and soil monitoring started right away. Testing did not find harmful levels of hydrogen fluoride, which was good news. Energy-Storage.NewsAP NewsSanta Cruz Local. Later on, scientists also tested the soil for heavy metals like manganese, which can pose risks to human health if inhaled or ingested (Santa Cruz Local). Officials set up a public dashboard to share all testing data, making updates transparent and easy to follow at readymontereycounty.org.
Cleanup and Oversight
In July 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a detailed cleanup plan with Vistra. The company must submit and get approval for its work plan to remove and safely dispose of almost 99,000 damaged batteries, each weighing over 200 pounds (Los Angeles Times). This cleanup is expected to last over a year, given the risk of reigniting fires and the sheer volume of batteries. Los Angeles Times, US EPA.
The Bigger Picture: Industry Lessons
Experts see the Moss Landing fire as a crucial learning moment for the energy storage industry. The facility was built early—with older safety standards and NMC-type batteries, which are known for high energy density but also a greater risk of thermal runaway (a dangerous chain reaction) Canary Media Utility Dive.
Since Moss Landing was built, battery safety rules have improved, and newer projects don’t use the same risky design. Legislation and regulation are evolving—some officials are pushing for zoning changes to keep future facilities farther from homes. Utility Dive, Santa Cruz Local, and Lookout Santa Cruz.
FAQs
1. When did the Moss Landing fire occur?
- It started on January 16, 2025, around 3 p.m., in the Phase 1 battery building at WikipediaPeople.com.
2. Why did people need to evacuate?
- Toxic smoke from burning lithium batteries raised health concerns. About 1,200–1,500 residents were evacuated, and nearby roads were shut. AP NewsEnergy-Storage.News New York Post People.com.
3. Were there any injuries?
- No injuries or deaths were reported from the fire. Energy-Storage.NewsAP News.
4. What chemicals were monitored afterward?
- Authorities tested for hydrogen fluoride gas and heavy metals like manganese in air and soil. No dangerous levels were found in energy storage. NewsAP NewsSanta Cruz Local.
5. Who is leading the cleanup?
- Vistra Energy is responsible for cleanup under the watch of the EPA and local health agencies. A long-term plan was approved in July 2025 (US EPA Los Angeles Times, readymontereycounty.org +1).
6. How long will the cleanup take?
- Removing and disposing of nearly 99,000 batteries could take more than a year, according to officials at the Los Angeles Times.
7. What lessons does this fire teach us?
- Early battery-storage facilities were built before modern safety standards. Since then, technology and regulations have improved. The incident prompted new proposals for safer design and greater separation from residential areas. Canary Media/Utility Dive Santa Cruz Local Lookout, Santa Cruz.
Summary
The Moss Landing fire in January 2025 was a powerful reminder of both the risks and necessity of battery energy storage. No one was hurt, but the event raised real safety and health concerns. A long and careful cleanup has begun under EPA supervision, and new rules are being shaped to prevent future disasters. The hope is that this incident makes the energy industry stronger and safer going forward.
