SAN FRANCISCO, California: A fire at the Vistra Energy lithium battery storage facility in Moss Landing, Northern California, has raised concerns about air quality and safety in the emerging battery storage industry.

The blaze, which began January 16, produced significant smoke emissions and evacuated up to 1,500 residents. By Friday, however, according to Fire Chief Joel Mendoza of Monterey County's North County Fire Protection District, the fire had subsided but continued to smolder.

"There's very little, if any, of a plume emitting from that building," Mendoza said, adding that the fire was being left to burn out, a standard approach for lithium-ion battery fires due to their intense heat and difficulty to extinguish.

The incident has prompted discussions about the safety and sustainability of battery storage, which plays a critical role in supporting clean energy grids. "This is more than a fire; this is a wake-up call for the industry," said Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church. "If we're going to move ahead with sustainable energy, we need a safe battery system in place."

Lithium-ion batteries, while essential for stabilizing power grids, are prone to "thermal runaway," a condition where they overheat and release toxic gases. The Environmental Protection Agency and independent air quality consultants are monitoring potential pollutants from the fire. Hydrogen fluoride, a hazardous gas linked to battery fires, is a primary concern, though air quality monitoring systems have not detected dangerous levels, according to Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto.

Residents voiced frustrations during an emergency meeting, questioning the fire department's preparedness and the decision to let the fire burn. "This is extremely disturbing," said local resident Silvia Morales.

Despite its risks, lithium battery technology is integral to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. California, a leader in battery storage, has over 11 gigawatts of utility-scale storage to stabilize its grid. Experts emphasize the importance of advancing safer technologies, such as lithium iron phosphate or water-based batteries, though these alternatives are not yet commercially viable.

"We need safer technologies to address these risks," said Jodie Lutkenhaus, a chemical engineering professor at Texas A&M University.

Vistra has pledged to investigate the cause of the fire once it is fully extinguished. "Our top priority is the safety of the community and our personnel," said Jenny Lyon, a spokesperson for Vistra.