Moss Landing Vistra Battery Storage Fire — Long-Term Cleanup Continues
A January 2025 fire at the Vistra Moss Landing battery storage facility in Monterey County burned much of its lithium-ion stock. Cleanup continues into 2026.
- Location
- Moss Landing, CA
- Occurred
- Jan 16, 2025, 11:00 PM UTC
- Last verified
- January 16, 2026
- Sources
- 3 primary sources
A fire at the Vistra Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in Monterey County, California, on January 16, 2025, became one of the largest fires at a battery storage facility on record. Reporting indicates it burned a large share of the site's roughly 100,000 lithium-ion batteries. Cleanup and demolition have continued into 2026.
What happened
The blaze prompted evacuation orders, which Monterey County authorities lifted the following night as the fire continued to burn down. Reporting noted that the fire distributed a layer of heavy metals across the surrounding landscape.
Current status
The fire is out, but long-term remediation continues. The EPA has estimated that demolition of the severely burned section of the facility will begin in mid-2026. For background on this kind of event, see our lithium battery fire overview.
What to do
If you live nearby and have concerns, follow guidance from Monterey County and state agencies, and consider documenting any exposure or impact. To see other tracked incidents, use the area-lookup tool.
Timeline
A fire breaks out at the Vistra Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility, one of the world's largest lithium battery storage sites.
Monterey County authorities lift evacuation orders the following night as the fire continues to burn down.
One year on, cleanup continues; the EPA estimates demolition of the severely burned section will begin in mid-2026.
Common questions
Is the fire still burning?
No. The 2025 fire is out. Long-term cleanup and demolition continue, which is why this record remains in a monitoring state.
What were the health concerns?
Reporting noted that the fire distributed heavy metals across the surrounding landscape. Residents with concerns should follow guidance from Monterey County and state agencies.