• A fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant in California led to evacuation orders and highway closures.
• Authorities issued precautions due to potential chemical releases from the facility.
• The cause of the fire is under investigation as over 1,500 people were affected by evacuation orders.

A significant fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey Bay, California, initiated evacuation orders and led to the closure of a section of Highway 1 on Thursday night, as authorities worked to assess the situation at one of the world's largest battery storage facilities. The Forbes reported that the Monterey County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders around 7 p.m. local time, following the fire's detection earlier that afternoon.

The sheriff's office had previously advised residents to close windows and turn off air systems “out of an abundance of caution.” Concerns over hazardous materials and potential chemical releases spurred the evacuation, which impacted approximately 1,500 individuals, according to reports by CNN.

All personnel were safely evacuated from the power plant, which operates a 300-megawatt grid battery storage facility and natural gas power generation as part of its operation. The cause of the fire remains undetermined; an investigation is set to start once the flames are under control. This incident follows prior safety concerns, as the facility is recognized as one of the largest of its kind globally, operated by Texas-based Vistra Energy. For additional context, San Francisco Chronicle also provided coverage on this developing situation.

This unfolding event raises questions about safety measures at energy storage facilities, particularly post the earlier incidents that have occurred.