California, Jan 18, (V7N) - A fire broke out Thursday night at a battery power plant in Moss Landing, Central California, leading to evacuation orders and road closures. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office issued the evacuation orders, and health officials advised residents to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, avoid outdoor exposure, and turn off ventilation systems.

The evacuation area includes parts of Moss Landing, south of Elkhorn Slough, north of Molera Road and Monterey Dunes Way, and west of Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Road. The Castroville Recreation Center is being used as a temporary evacuation point.

Vistra, the company that owns the Moss Landing Power Plant, confirmed the fire at its 300-MW Phase I energy storage facility. A company spokesperson said that all personnel at the site were safely evacuated. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation will begin once the fire is under control.

The North Monterey County Fire District responded to the fire Thursday afternoon, after Vistra personnel called for assistance. The fire has caused disruptions, with the North Monterey County United School District closing all schools and offices on Friday.

California Highway Patrol has closed Highway 1 around the plant, and other roads in the area are also affected.

Although the fire is significant, it is not related to the wildfires currently affecting Southern California, which are thousands of miles away. Moss Landing is located about 320 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

As of Friday, efforts to control the fire are ongoing, and the community is urged to remain cautious.

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