We live in the age of lithium-ion batteries. From smartphones to large-scale power plants like the Vistra Energy Storage Facility in Moss Landing, California, these batteries bring with them a significant and escalating threat: the potential for intense and difficult-to-control fires. The incident in Moss Landing serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of lithium batteries, forcing evacuations and generating well-founded fears among locals.
The California environmental attorneys at Danko Meredith Injury Lawyers recognize the serious risks posed by these battery fires to the residents of Moss Landing and the wider Monterey County region. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries or health problems as a result of one of these recent local power plant fires, we can help advocate for you and for justice against these negligent companies.
What Are the Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries revolutionized portable power through their convenient rechargeability, lightweight design, and efficiency. At their core, these batteries operate through the movement of lithium ions between a negative electrode (anode) and a positive electrode (cathode), facilitated by an electrolyte. But this power storage technique harbors an inherent danger, a phenomenon called thermal runaway.
Thermal runaway occurs when the battery overheats, releasing highly flammable gases, bursting into flames, and, critically, setting off a chain reaction in neighboring cells. The consequence can be a devastating fire or even an explosion.
How Do Lithium Battery Fires Start?
Several factors can trigger a dangerous thermal runaway in lithium batteries:
- Manufacturing flaws: Defects like internal shorts or contamination introduced during production can create weak spots, leading to overheating.
- Physical damage: Impacts, punctures, or crushing can damage internal components, causing short circuits.
- Improper charging: Overcharging or over-discharging stresses the battery, potentially causing internal shorts and heat buildup. Using the wrong charger can also lead to overcharging.
- External shorts: The Accidental connection of terminals allows a surge of current, generating excessive heat.
- Temperature extremes: Operating or storing batteries outside their recommended range accelerates harmful internal reactions and increases heat.
- Internal shorts (developing over time): Growth of internal structures or degradation of components can create shorts, leading to rapid heating.
The dangers of lithium-ion batteries are amplified in massive energy storage facilities, such as a power plant or an electric car manufacturer. Installations housing thousands of these cells, such as the Vistra Energy Storage Facility in Moss Landing, need sophisticated monitoring and safety equipment to stop fires as soon as they get started. When companies are negligent or when these critical systems malfunction or prove insufficient, the consequences can be catastrophic.
The Moss Landing Power Plant Fires: An Example of the Dangers of Lithium Batteries
Vistra Energy Storage Facility in Moss Landing, CA, experienced a terrible fire on January 16, 2025, due to lithium batteries triggering a thermal runaway, which could not be contained quickly. The facility, noted as the largest battery facility in the world, caught fire due to improper storage and an ineffective fire suppression system that could not extinguish the flames due to the unique nature of lithium fires. Nearly 300 megawatts of power, or 2% of California’s energy capacity, was destroyed during the blaze.
During this catastrophe, the Moss Landing power plant fire released thick clouds of smoke into the neighboring communities in Monterey County. While it was unknown at the time if the smoke was dangerous, authorities ordered approximately 1,200 residents to evacuate. The next day, when the fire was deemed under control, residents were allowed to return home, but were advised to stay inside, turn off any exterior ventilation systems, and keep doors and windows closed.
Approximately one month later, on February 18, 2025, a smaller recurrence of the fire further eroded community trust in the Vistra facility’s operational reliability and safety measures. While less extensive, this second incident amplified existing anxieties among residents about environmental contamination and health hazards.
A member of Monterey County’s board of supervisors, Glenn Church, referred to the incident as the battery industry’s version of a “Three Mile Island event” (referencing the 1979 nuclear power plant catastrophe).
A History of Safety Concerns at the Moss Landing Power Plant
These two fires do not represent the only times that the Vistra Energy Storage Facility has shown safety concerns that could threaten the surrounding community. Prior to these most recent occurrences, two high-temperature events occurred in 2021 and 2022. While these instances did not result in an actual fire, the warning signs were there that the facility was unprepared to handle emergency situations.
Nearby, the Elkhorn Battery Facility experienced a fire on September 20, 2022, involving a Tesla Megapack. While emergency responders acted promptly and contained the fire, the surrounding community understandably has heightened anxieties regarding the risks of battery storage and began raising questions about the preventative measures that are put in place by local authorities. These past incidents underscore a history of safety concerns within Monterey County’s battery storage infrastructure.
Symptoms of Lithium-Ion Battery Fume Inhalation
One of the biggest dangers of lithium fires is the cocktail of toxic gases and microscopic particulate matter released into the air. This includes hazardous substances like hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and heavy metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese. Inhaling these emissions can lead to a range of symptoms, including:
- Respiratory distress: Coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and burning sensations in the throat and chest may occur.
- Ocular and dermal irritation: Eyes may become red, watery, burning, and itchy, and the skin can develop rashes and irritation.
- Gastrointestinal upset: Inhaling these fumes may result in nausea and vomiting.
- Neurological effects: Carbon monoxide and other gases may cause headaches and dizziness.
The onset of symptoms can range anywhere from minutes to hours after exposure, influenced by the concentration of the fumes inhaled and an individual’s overall health. If you have experienced any of these symptoms after a recent lithium fire, contact your doctor to be checked out as soon as possible. Then, reach out to our team of personal injury lawyers for help in pursuing justice against negligent companies.
The Long-Term Health Effects of Lithium-Ion Battery Fumes
These toxic fumes and particulate matter can cause significant long-term health effects, particularly to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues. A critical concern for Moss Landing residents is whether they were exposed to these dangerous toxins during evacuation and if harmful particles have contaminated their homes, soil, and water sources, creating a sustained risk.
Potential long-term consequences of exposure include:
- Chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma or bronchitis may develop or be exacerbated
- Heavy metal accumulation in the body may cause neurological problems
- An increased risk of cancer
- Repeated inhalation of fine particulate matter can strain the cardiovascular system
- Recurring rashes or corneal damage are also possible
How to Respond if You Inhale Lithium Battery Fumes
If a future catastrophe like the Moss Landing power plant fire occurs and you are exposed to a lithium-ion battery fire, you need to act quickly to minimize your exposure and potential health risks.
Remove yourself immediately from the situation, if possible, by evacuating the area. Use an N95 or higher emergency face mask if you have one. Be sure to turn on the inside air in your vehicle to avoid fumes coming in from the outside. Change your clothing and wash it and yourself thoroughly to remove any lingering deposited particulate matter.
Once it is safe to return home, ventilate your house and car, opening windows and using fans and air purifiers with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters to remove residual toxins in the air. Monitor your symptoms and keep track of any signs of illness, such as headaches, respiratory distress, rashes, and other out-of-the-ordinary issues. If you have any symptoms, even mild ones, see a medical professional to get evaluated. They can run tests and take important notes connecting your symptoms with the exposure.
Take detailed notes to document your exposure, symptoms, and required medical treatment. Should you decide to file a personal injury claim, these notes will come in handy. If you experience any negative effects after a lithium-ion battery fire, get in contact with the legal team at Danko Meredith Law. We will work to hold those responsible accountable for their negligent actions and your injuries.
When to See a Doctor About Potential Exposure to Harmful Battery Fumes
If you experience any symptoms after exposure to fumes from a lithium battery fire, seek medical attention right away. Some of these symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or tightness
- Persistent coughing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or confusion
- Burning in the eyes or throat
- Worsening of pre-existing chronic respiratory conditions
Be sure to tell your doctor specifically about your exposure to toxic fumes from a battery fire, as there are specific tests they may run to test your exposure. Certain blood and urine tests can help assess the amount of heavy metals and other harmful compounds in your system, which may indicate long-term health effects. It is always worth getting tested by a medical professional after potential exposure to chemical fumes to ensure you are healthy.
Could the Moss Landing Power Plant Fires Affect the Value of My Home/Business?
If you live in Moss Landing, CA, or the surrounding areas, you may be concerned about this catastrophe affecting the value of your property or business. Significant incidents like a power plant fire can negatively impact the perceived value of properties in the area surrounding the disaster, even if your property did not sustain direct physical damage.
Declining property values are often linked to factors such as:
- Heightened perception of risk in the local area
- Stricter mortgage requirements
- Impact on business loans or refinancing
- Environmental hazards and concerns about contamination
- Higher Insurance premiums and difficulties obtaining insurance
- Diminished quality of life due to anxiety about safety
- Stigma and a lasting negative perception of the area
- Economic disruption, leading to job losses or business disruptions
- Regulatory changes and liability issues
We recognize these valid concerns and are dedicated to assisting property owners in Moss Landing, CA, and neighboring communities in evaluating the potential impact of these events on their property values. It is understandable to feel concerned, and we are here to help. We are working on exploring pathways to seek compensation for any financial losses experienced. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and how you believe your life has been affected by this disaster.
Are the Soil and Water Safe After the Moss Landing Power Plant Fires?
While the fire has been put out, there are still lasting concerns about the effects on the environment. When toxic fumes are pumped into the air, along with particulate matter, soil and water can be contaminated. This could then affect agriculture in the area, including plants and livestock. Contamination of soil and water can have long-lasting effects on human health and the ecosystem. Pollutants can persist in the environment for extended periods, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and impact future land use if not addressed properly.
To fully understand the environmental consequences of the Moss Landing battery fires, comprehensive testing of the soil and water is essential. This analysis must be able to identify any heavy metals or other contaminants that may be present. The findings from this testing will be critical in determining if and what cleanup actions are necessary to protect the long-term health of the environment and community. If contaminants exceed acceptable limits, expensive cleanup and remediation may be necessary. Even after cleanup, long-term monitoring may be required to ensure the effectiveness of the remediation and to detect any potential re-emergence of contaminants.
At Danko Meredith, we are working with the law firm Fiore Achermann to hold those responsible for this disaster accountable for their actions. The question of soil and water safety after the Moss Landing power plant fires is a serious one with potentially significant implications for the environment, the agricultural industry, and the health and livelihoods of those in the surrounding communities.
Transparency in the testing process and communication of the results should be made to help rebuild trust in the community and ensure that proper remediation efforts are undertaken. If you believe your land or business has been impacted by the fires, please contact us to discuss your legal options for compensation.
Compensation for Those Affected by the Moss Landing Power Plant Fires
If the Moss Landing battery plant fires impacted your life, health, or property, you may have the right to seek compensation for the losses you have incurred. This compensation aims to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of the incident and can cover a range of damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Evacuation costs
- Lost wages and income
- Property damage
- Diminished property values
- Environmental cleanup of your land
- Emotional distress
- Chronic health consequences
Working with an experienced lawyer who understands the nature of the Moss Landing power plant disaster and is knowledgeable about environmental litigation can be invaluable in seeking compensation. We can help you determine the full extent of your damages, past and future, and collect the necessary proof to build a strong case for your claim. Contact our legal team for help in understanding your legal rights and pursuing the compensation that can help you recover and rebuild your life.
Get Help from Danko Meredith and Fiore Achermann
To address the needs of Moss Landing and Monterey County residents, the law firms of Fiore Achermann and Danko Meredith have joined forces. We are here to hold Vistra Corp accountable for the repercussions of the Vistra Energy Storage Facility fire at Moss Landing Power Plant.
This strategic partnership reunites attorneys Jennifer Fiore, Mike Danko, and Kristine Keala Meredith. These lawyers first worked together representing clients against PG&E in the San Bruno pipeline explosion.
The legal teams at Fiore Achermann and Danko Meredith have extensive experience in holding negligent utility companies and business interests accountable:
- Danko Meredith’s track record includes prosecuting toxic torts such as the Porter Ranch gas leak. Our law firm has also secured well over $1.5 billion in settlements for utility fire victims across California, which includes the Camp Fire and the Dixie Fire.
- Fiore Achermann has found success in many high-profile cases, including the Conception Boat Fire (involving lithium-ion batteries) and the Ghost Ship warehouse fire.
Together, Fiore Achermann and Danko Meredith are committed to providing unparalleled legal representation for those affected by the lithium-ion battery fires at Moss Landing Power Plant. We will ensure that Vistra Corp and any other responsible parties are held accountable and that justice is served.
Consult Our California Environmental Disaster Attorneys Today
If you reside in Moss Landing or neighboring communities within Monterey County and have suffered harm due to the power plant fires at the Vistra Energy Storage Facility, connect with the experienced environmental attorneys at Danko Meredith for a free, confidential consultation.
We are dedicated to advocating for your rights, ensuring responsible corporations are held accountable for their negligence, and fighting for the safety and security your community rightfully expects. Take the first step toward justice and contact us today.