Moss Landing Vistra Battery Fire Response: Response Timeline

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August 2025 Updates

EPA continues to provide on-site technical assistance and oversight of battery removal process.
Equipment arrives at the site (such as cranes).
Preliminary building stabilization work in key areas of the “Moss Landing 300” building (which was burned in the fire) in order for crews to more safely access batteries.
Perform building stabilization work.
Start a “surgical” removal of certain portions of the burned building so some batteries can be safely accessed.
Remove the batteries from the damaged building for on-site processing.
Start removing (de-energizing) energy from those batteries.

EPA and Vistra reach agreement (pdf) for the removal of lithium-ion batteries. This agreement formally establishes Vistra’s obligations and clarifies the EPA’s expectations for the battery removal process.

Negotiated agreement outlining Vistra’s obligations and clarifying the EPA’s expectations for the battery removal process.
Developed and performed thorough technical reviews on over 30 detailed plans and procedures in preparation for safe battery removal, partial building demolition, and building stabilization.

Flareup inside building occurs, causing smoke in the building. Visible flareup subsided.
State of California Environmental Protection Agency requests EPA lead the oversight of Vistra’s battery removal work.

EPA issues Notice of Federal Response Action to Vistra.
- The notice documents why an urgent response to the fire is needed.
- It also outlines the work that needs to be done to address hazardous substances on the site.
Vistra confirms it will voluntarily do the response.
EPA then begins providing technical assistance to Vistra for the battery removal process and reviews Vistra's plans for battery removal.

After smoke subsides, EPA consults with Monterey County and transfers air monitoring stations to Vistra.

EPA begins perimeter air monitoring early the morning of Jan. 17.
EPA sets up nine air monitoring locations at and around the site.
The monitors look for mineral acid gases (like hydrogen fluoride) and particulates.

Battery fire starts at Vistra's energy storage facility. The facility has about 100,000 battery modules.
Local agencies respond and request EPA assistance with perimeter air monitoring.

Vistra, and the battery manufacturer, are still investigating the cause of the fire.