Moss Landing battery fire reignites as cleanup crews struggle with inaccessible modules

Key points

• Vistra workers identified a flare-up early Friday morning on the north side of the Moss Landing 300 building, which had been damaged in the January 2025 fire.
• North County Fire Protection District Chief Jess Cortez stated that roughly 1,200 inaccessible battery modules, still charged, spontaneously ignited, though the fire was in a smoldering stage by afternoon.
• Monterey County officials issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby areas, which was lifted by 4 p.m. Friday; no injuries were reported, and air quality monitors detected no unhealthy levels of particulate matter.
• The California Public Utilities Commission investigation into the January 2025 fire remains ongoing, with a root cause analysis still underway nearly two years later.
• The incident raises concerns about the safety of older battery storage facilities, which were built with outdated technologies and designs, as California expands its battery energy storage fleet.

Background

The Moss Landing Power Plant, operated by Texas-based Vistra, is one of the largest battery storage facilities in the world. It experienced a major fire in January 2025, which was the facility's fourth safety incident since 2019. The fire led to a state investigation and ongoing cleanup efforts. California has since passed several safety laws aimed at improving battery storage standards, but critics argue these measures came too late to prevent incidents like the one at Moss Landing.

How outlets are covering it

CalMatters emphasizes the recurring nature of the fire and the broader implications for California's clean energy goals, highlighting concerns from experts and community members. KSBW and the Monterey Herald focus on the immediate response, including the shelter-in-place order and the efforts to contain the fire. The Mercury News provides additional context on the ongoing cleanup and the EPA's role in overseeing the removal of damaged batteries. All sources agree on the severity of the incident but differ in their emphasis on the regulatory and environmental implications.

Why it matters

The Moss Landing fire underscores the risks associated with battery storage facilities, particularly those built with older technologies. As California continues to expand its battery energy storage fleet to meet clean energy goals, the incident raises questions about the safety and environmental impact of these facilities. The ongoing investigation and cleanup efforts highlight the challenges in ensuring the safety of these critical infrastructure projects.

What to watch

The California Public Utilities Commission will continue its investigation into the January 2025 fire, with a root cause analysis expected to be completed in the coming months. Vistra and the EPA will proceed with the cleanup of the remaining damaged batteries, with warnings of possible further flare-ups. Community groups and experts will continue to monitor the environmental and health impacts of the incident, advocating for stricter safety standards and better oversight of battery storage facilities.