A new lithium-Ion battery fire flare up at the Moss Landing BESS - batteries reignite a month after major fire
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MOSS LANDING, California. A fire reignited at the Moss Landing Power Plant late Tuesday night as smouldering lithium-ion batteries caught fire again, officials confirmed. This latest incident occurred in the same building where a major blaze erupted on January 16 at Vistra’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility.
Authorities say the new fire was less severe than the previous one, but it still prompted safety warnings for nearby residents. Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management urged those living near the plant to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke concerns.
Local schools also took precautions. The Pajaro Valley Unified School District instructed three schools—Hall District, Ohlone Elementary, and Pajaro Middle—to keep windows and doors shut out of an abundance of caution. Despite visible smoke, the Monterey Bay Air Resources District reported that overall air quality remained “good.”
January’s fire raised concerns about the risks associated with lithium-ion battery storage. Firefighters previously stated that water is ineffective against these types of fires, making them difficult to control once they ignite. County Supervisor Glenn Church warned that there is no proven way to extinguish large-scale battery fires once they reach a critical stage.
The renewed fire comes amid ongoing legal action against Vistra. Earlier this month, a lawsuit was filed against the company, with environmental activist Erin Brockovich backing the case. The lawsuit claims Vistra knowingly housed dangerous lithium-ion batteries in unsafe conditions, prioritizing profits over public safety.
The Moss Landing site remains one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities, but repeated fire incidents are fuelling growing concerns about its long-term safety and environmental impact.
“There is no proven way to put out one of these fires once it has reached this magnitude. Attempts to put out battery fires at other sites have only worsened the situation. Water is used initially only when the batteries start to heat, not when flames have emerged,” County Supervisor Glenn Church previously wrote.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License
Moss Landing power plant
Date: Taken on 16 August 2019, 13:22:21
Author: Thomson200
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