World’s largest battery storage site on fire in central California

By Camille von Kaenel | 01/17/2025 12:58 PM EST

Monterey County officials ordered evacuations after Vistra’s battery facility at the Moss Landing Power Plant caught fire Thursday.

A fire burns at Moss Landing Battery Plant late on Jan. 16, 2,025 in Moss Landing, Calif.

Vistra Energy confirmed in an email a fire had broken out in one of its battery facilities Thursday afternoon and that it had evacuated on-site personnel. KSBW via AP

Monterey County authorities issued evacuation orders Thursday night after a fire broke out at a battery storage facility along the Central Coast that the company claims is the largest in the world.

Vistra Energy, which owns the natural gas-fueled Moss Landing Power Plant and adjoining lithium-ion battery facility on the Monterey County coast, confirmed in an email a fire had broken out in one of its battery facilities Thursday afternoon and that it had evacuated on-site personnel.

“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation will begin once the fire is extinguished,” said spokesperson Jenny Lyon.

Advertisement

The Monterey County Sheriff had earlier told nearby residents to close windows “out of an abundance of caution.” The California Highway Patrol also closed Highway 1 around the plant.

GET FULL ACCESS