Shelter-in-place order lifted after fire at Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey Co.: Officials

MOSS LANDING, Calif. -- Monterey County officials said that a fire reported Friday morning at the Moss Landing Power Plant that prompted people nearby to shelter in place is expected to burn itself out over the next 24 hours.

The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted, officials said in a virtual news conference.

Authorities initially responded shortly after 6:15 a.m. to the fire, and county officials said it was burning within a structure that had significant damage from a Vistra battery energy storage facility fire in January 2025 and involves batteries previously damaged in that fire, which forced the temporary evacuation of more than a thousand residents.

The county in a statement said Friday's fire "is not comparable to the January 2025 fire in terms of its scale or complexity," but has still prompted shelter-in-place orders and warnings in the surrounding area.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office earlier Friday issued shelter-in-place orders for an area within a third of a mile of the facility at 7301 State Highway 1. The North Monterey County Unified School District is also keeping students and staff indoors at Elkhorn and Castroville elementary schools, North Monterey County Middle School, and North Monterey County High School.

There is a road closure on Dolan Road between Highway 1 and Via Tanques Road. Highway 1 remains open, but traffic is impacted as a result of the fire, and drivers are advised to avoid the area, according to the county.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has air monitors working in the area, and fire crews are also using drones to assess conditions, county officials said. No injuries have been reported.

ABC7 Eyewitness News contributed to this story.