BREAKING NEWS: Fire Breaks Out at Martinez Refinery, Level 3 Community Warning System Alert Activated
Shelter-in-place order lifted for neighborhoods north of refinery as fire is finally brought under control Saturday evening; health advisory for sensitive groups lifted Tuesday afternoon
Update: 3:25 p.m. Feb. 4: Contra Costa Health has lifted the health advisory for Martinez and parts of Pacheco and Clyde, more than three days after the massive fire ignited. “The fire at Martinez Refinery Company is out and no longer poses a risk.”
Contra Costa Health also said the following about next steps in investigating the fire in a news release Tuesday afternoon:
CCH is investigating the cause of the incident, in accordance with state requirements and the county’s Industrial Safety Ordinance, and will explore all options available under the regulatory authority provided through the state as a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) to ensure safety issues are all addressed.
The news release can be viewed at the following link: https://www.cchealth.org/Home/Components/News/News/876/415
Meanwhile, Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston today issued the following statement:
I understand the frustration, fear, and anger experienced by Martinez residents in the wake of Saturday’s fire at the Martinez Refining Company. This is the third major incident since BPF Energy purchased the refinery in 2020 and many more spills and releases have occurred since then. This is not acceptable, and I am working to get answers for our community. Currently, the County, and other regulatory agencies, will conduct an independent investigation into what caused the fire, what violations may have occurred, what potential environmental hazards linger, and what are necessary improvements needed to ensure public and worker safety and health. In addition, I am requesting a Full Facility Audit under the provisions of the County’s Industrial Safety Ordinance. This independent oversight is necessary if we are to have confidence in the management and operation of the refinery.
Scales-Preston further said she planned to convene a town hall meeting to share more about what has been learned and receive community feedback.
The full statement can be viewed at the following link: https://files.constantcontact.com/13eafbb2301/a3a1bf21-e73a-43b4-9f68-d27f166f0f6b.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawIPgb9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHau64SLDP69JZhiyfmZ0dQ9j9vARP3yIVTXFukjkychsBKR6unMMsyrFAg_aem_4ENH634cc62TK_2ivZY82Q
Update 12:32 p.m. Feb. 4: Refinery spokesperson told the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors this morning that the fire is now completely out. However, Contra Costa Health has not yet lifted its health advisory cautioning those with respiratory sensitivity to remain indoors.
Also, U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier has issued a strongly worded video statement about the incident in which he has again questioned PBF Energy’s corporate culture around safety and called for more aggressive oversight of the facility. “Having had 30 years of dealing with the oil industry, it is past time for every federal, state, and local regulatory agency with jurisdiction over the Martinez Refining Company to act aggressively with all the statutory authority they have to hold the refinery accountable. Without more aggressive oversight it is not a question of whether deaths will occur, but when given the company’s disregard for safety.”
Video is available at the following link: https://fb.watch/xycJ_W-sIb/
Update: 3:50 p.m. Feb. 3: U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s office issued the following statement about Saturday’s fire in his emailed newsletter today:
Our team has been closely monitoring the situation at the Martinez Refining Company after a massive blaze broke out on Saturday afternoon. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure the safety of the greater Martinez community. Congressman DeSaulnier has a long history of working to increase safety at refineries and hold refining companies accountable for corporate irresponsibility that puts workers and our communities at risk.
Update: 1:06 p.m. Feb. 3: Link to the Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ConFire) incident report from Saturday’s fire is below. A total of 51 ConFire personnel responded the fire. “The fire was controlled in approximately seven hours, although small pockets of fire and flaring continued as products burned off.”
https://www.cccfpd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Significant-Incident-Report-2_1_2025.pdf
Update 9:20 p.m. Feb. 2: The refinery has provided the first details of how Saturday’s fire was ignited. According to an update that it posted Sunday evening:
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, two workers were opening equipment at the refinery in preparation for planned maintenance on one of the refinery’s process units. Upon opening the equipment, the workers encountered a leak of hydrocarbon material. The workers immediately evacuated the area, and the material subsequently caught fire. Both of those workers were transported offsite for medical evaluation and released. The fire then spread within the immediate vicinity.
MRC’s fire crews quickly responded and began suppressing the fire. They called for mutual aid from industry partners and support from Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ConFire).
The refinery also disclosed a Level 1 Community Warning System alert that occurred “for firefighting water runoff containing hydrocarbons that overflowed one of the refinery’s wastewater containment ponds. The runoff is currently contained on refinery property, and we are deploying boom to contain the water, and we are using equipment to remove the runoff and transport it to the Refinery’s water treatment system.”
The full update can be viewed at the following link:
Update 5:30 p.m.: The city of Martinez has posted the following on social media reassuring the community that its drinking water supply and quality have not been affected by the fire.
Out of an abundance of caution and to assure our residents, the City will be sending water samples out for testing to a third party laboratory, just as was done in 2022 during the refinery spent catalyst incident. The 2022 samples indicated no adverse impacts on Martinez water quality. We expect the results from the most recent samples to be available in the next couple of days and will post the information online when we receive it.
Update 3:45 p.m.: Contra Costa Health is continuing to recommend that residents with respiratory sensitivities continue to remain indoors with doors and windows shut as smoke from Saturday’s fire continues to clear.
CCH made the announcements in a news release issued around 1 p.m. A map of the affected area can be found at cwsalerts.com
In the news release, CCH Hazardous Materials Director Nicole Heath explained the decision to elevate the Community Warning System alert from Level 2 to Level 3 shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday, triggering a shelter-in-place for residents north of the refinery.
“The plume of smoke from the burning hydrocarbons was going high above the community at the beginning of the incident. But the movement of the smoke changed during the firefighting, and it was much closer to ground level, in the community," she said. "We escalated the warning because the conditions changed, and the air quality became more concerning, particularly north of the refinery."
CCH also said in the news release that four people were taken by ambulance to area hospitals for non-critical injuries or health concerns related to the event.
The full news release can be viewed at the following link: https://www.cchealth.org/Home/Components/News/News/872/414
Meanwhile, in an update posted on its website at 2:30 p.m., PBF Energy said “flaring continues with the potential for intermittent flaring throughout the week. Refinery operating units have been shut down except required utility systems. Our top priorities remain the safety and security of responders, as well as maximizing protection of public health and safety.”
Update 11:20 a.m.: Link to incident report from Bay Area Air Quality Management District is posted below. BAAQMD said it began receiving complaints at 10:45 a.m. Saturday about “chemical/refinery odors,” followed by a complaint at 12:20 p.m. related to “industrial burning” and “flaring.” It initiated a response to the complaints at 1:45 p.m., three minutes before a Level 2 alert was activated through the Contra Costa Community Warning System for a fire at the refinery. Fire was located in Light Oil Processing area of refinery. “As of 7:30 pm, Air District staff received and responded to 30 complaints from the community which were alleging odors and smoke related to the incident.”
See document below with additional details about the Light Oil Processing (LOP) area where the fire was located. It appears to be connected to the Fluid Catalytic Cracker Unit (FCCU) that was involved in the 2022 spent catalyst release and is a focal point of a major “turnaround” maintenance project ongoing at the refinery.
From Page 22:
The process units in the LOP Area that are served by the LOP flare system include the Crude Unit, Vacuum Flasher, Straightrun and Catalytic Hydrotreaters, the Catalytic and Saturates gas plants, the Fluid Catalytic Cracker, Hydrocracker, Alkylation, Catalytic Reformer, Sulfur Recovery Units 1 and 2, Hydrogen Plant 1 and various Utilities systems.
Update 11 a.m.: Latest update from PBF Energy, as of 9 a.m., is posted below. It can be found at https://martinezrefiningcompany.com/ Refinery says: “We are deeply sorry for the disruption and concern we have caused the community. Once the emergency response is complete, we will thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident in accordance with the Contra Costa County Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) to identify and implement appropriate corrective actions.”
Update 9am 2.2.25 INCIDENT RESPONSE UPDATE Martinez Refining Company (MRC) and Mutual Aid Firefighters have succeeded in getting the fire under their control and remain on site responding to the incident. Our top priorities are the safety and security of responders, as well as maximizing protection of public health and safety. You may continue to see residual smoke throughout the day. Flaring continues currently with the potential of intermittent flaring throughout the week. There were no serious injuries, and all personnel have been accounted for. As previously reported, six people were observed by medical personnel and all have been released. HEALTH GUIDANCE Contra Costa Health lifted its Shelter in Place Order and issued this message: “A Public Health Advisory remains for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until the health advisory is lifted. This is an advisory message only. For more information, visit cchealth.org.” CCH Hazmat is also able to report, “Air quality in areas near Martinez Refining Company has improved enough that Community Warning System sirens have stopped sounding, but a Public Health Advisory does remain for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until this advisory is lifted. The need for the health advisory will be reassessed on Sunday morning.” ABOUT FLARING Flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems, which are designed to safely manage excess gases through efficient, effective combustion. In addition to seeing the flare, you may feel a rumbling sound which is the result of the mixing of vapors, air and steam during the flaring process. You can learn more about flaring on our website: https://martinezrefiningcompany.com/about-flaring/. MRC FENCELINE MONITORING MRC’s fenceline air monitoring program uses high-tech sensors to monitor in “real time” specific emissions that may cross the facility’s fenceline. Our systems monitor, record, and report multiple compounds. You are welcome to view real-time fenceline measurements at our air monitoring website: http://www.fenceline.org/martinez/. As of this update, two of our fenceline monitoring paths are offline due to effects from the fire. We are working to get those paths back online. CLAIMS If you have a concern related to the incident, MRC has set up a claims line. Please call 800-542-7113 and leave the following information: • Full Name • Complete Address • Telephone Number • Email address In addition, please describe the concern you would like to discuss, and a company representative will return your call. INVESTIGATION AND FUTURE UPDATES We are deeply sorry for the disruption and concern we have caused the community. Once the emergency response is complete, we will thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident in accordance with the Contra Costa County Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) to identify and implement appropriate corrective actions. We will continue to work collaboratively with all agencies involved, and thank our employees, mutual aid partners, and agency representatives for their response to the incident. Further updates will be posted on MRC’s social media and website (www.martinezrefiningcompany.com). Community inquiries can be made to 925-313-3601. Martinez Refining Company (MRC), and Mutual Aid Firefighters have succeeded in getting the fire under their control and remain on site responding to the incident. Our top priorities are the safety and security of responders, as well as maximizing protection of public health and safety. You may continue to see residual smoke and flaring. Flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems designed to safely manage excess combustible gases by burning them off efficiently and effectively. Contra Costa Health has lifted its Shelter in Place Order and issued this message: “A Public Health Advisory remains for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until the health advisory is lifted. This is an advisory message only. For more information, visit cchealth.org.” CCH Hazmat is also able to report, “Air quality in areas near Martinez Refining Company has improved enough that Community Warning System sirens have stopped sounding, but a Public Health Advisory does remain for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until this advisory is lifted. The need for the health advisory will be reassessed on Sunday morning.” As previously reported six people were observed by medical personnel and all have been released. If you have a concern related to the February 2, 2025, fire, MRC has set up a claims line. Please call 800-542-7113 and leave the following information: Full Name Complete Address Telephone Number Email address In addition, please describe the concern you would like to discuss, and a company representative will return your call as soon as practical. We apologize to our community for the disruption and concern we have caused. Further updates will be posted on MRC’s social media and website. Community inquiries can be made to 925-313-3601.
Update 6:15 a.m.: Below is the latest update from PBF Energy posted on the refinery’s website at 12:15 a.m. Meanwhile, Contra Costa Health said it would reassess the need for a continuing health advisory this morning. The refinery so far has not addressed potential causes of the fire or the specific location where it occurred. It will be required to file a 72-hour report addressing those issues as part of the first steps in a “root cause” analysis of the accident. Given the magnitude of the fire and fact it prompted a shelter-in-place Level 3 alert through the Community Warning System, it is virtually assured that multiple independent investigations will occur at the county, state and perhaps federal levels. Continue to check cchealth.org, cwsalerts.com and martinezrefiningcompany.com for updates throughout the day.
Martinez Refining Company (MRC), and Mutual Aid Firefighters have succeeded in getting the fire under their control and remain on site responding to the incident. Our top priorities are the safety and security of responders, as well as maximizing protection of public health and safety. You may continue to see residual smoke and flaring. Flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems designed to safely manage excess combustible gases by burning them off efficiently and effectively. Contra Costa Health has lifted its Shelter in Place Order and issued this message: “A Public Health Advisory remains for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until the health advisory is lifted. This is an advisory message only. For more information, visit cchealth.org.” CCH Hazmat is also able to report, “Air quality in areas near Martinez Refining Company has improved enough that Community Warning System sirens have stopped sounding, but a Public Health Advisory does remain for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until this advisory is lifted. The need for the health advisory will be reassessed on Sunday morning.” As previously reported six people were observed by medical personnel and all have been released. If you have a concern related to the February 2, 2025, fire, MRC has set up a claims line. Please call 800-542-7113 and leave the following information: Full Name Complete Address Telephone Number Email address In addition, please describe the concern you would like to discuss, and a company representative will return your call as soon as practical. We apologize to our community for the disruption and concern we have caused. Further updates will be posted on MRC’s social media and website. Community inquiries can be made to 925-313-3601.
Below are images I took of the fire in my neighborhood off Parkway Drive near Mountain View Park.
Update 9:22 p.m.: Contra Costa Health has lifted the shelter-in-place. The Contra Costa Warning System level has shifted back from 3 to 2, meaning that people with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until the health advisory is lifted.
Update 9:14 p.m.: Refinery spokesperson Brandon Matson says “the situation has greatly improved.” Fire appears close to being brought under control, and Contra Costa Health officials plan to lift shelter-in-place shortly, lowering incident back to Level 2. Latest press briefing can be viewed at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/reel/997947615630963
Update 8:20 p.m.: Latest press briefing by refinery and local officials can be found at following link. Shelter in place remains in effect as efforts continue to extinguish fire. Road closures lifted. Refinery sirens will continue to sound every 30 minutes until shelter-in-place is lifted:
Update 6:45 p.m.: News release from Bay Area Air Quality Management District:
At approximately 1:47 p.m. a fire began at Martinez Refinery. Air District inspectors are on site. Localized impacts near the fire and in downwind neighborhoods are possible, including the smell of smoke and elevated levels of particulate pollution. This is based on current meteorological conditions which can change depending on the duration of the fire. The Air District will closely monitor air quality throughout the region for smoke impacts from this incident.
Residents should follow instructions from local health officials.
The Air District is working with first responders to advise them on meteorology and air quality issues relating to the incident. Inspectors are on site, responding to public complaints and documenting any violations of air quality regulations. Once the incident response is complete, an incident report will be posted on this webpage: https://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/incidents-and-advisories.
Smoke from the fire contains fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants. Exposure to smoke is unhealthy, even for short periods of time. It is important that Bay Area residents protect their health by avoiding exposure. If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. Set car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside. The use of indoor air filtration can also help reduce smoke exposure.
Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in those who suffer from asthma, emphysema or COPD. Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.
Update 6:33 p.m.: Link to news conference Saturday evening with Contra Costa Fire and PBF spokesman Brandon Matson. Three minor injuries reported: https://abc7news.com/post/martinez-refinery-public-health-advisory-issued-pacheco-due-reported-flare-level-2-hazmat/15854643/
Update 5:53 p.m.: Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila Farias, a Martinez resident, has issued the following statement in response to today’s fire:
I am closely monitoring the fire at the Martinez Refining Company and remain in direct contact with all appropriate agencies and refinery representatives to assess the impacts on the facility and our community.
I spoke with Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, and will join her in an investigation alongside Federal, State, and local agencies to determine the root cause of this accident. Ensuring public safety and environmental protection remains my top priority, and I am committed to taking all necessary measures to protect our residents and environment.
I encourage everyone to stay informed and follow public health recommendations. I will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
Update 5:43 p.m.: Latest update from refinery on its website:
Statement Update as of 5:15pm 2/1/25 Martinez Refining Company, (MRC) and Contra Costa County Fire Protection district firefighters are responding to the fire reported at the refinery, and a Unified Command has been set up with MRC, Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and City of Martinez. A Unified Command allows multiple agencies and organizations to work together effectively. Mutual aid has also been called to assist with the coordinated response and the fire is contained to the refinery. The Unified Command’s top priorities are the safety and security of responders as well as maximize the protection of public health and welfare. Three people have been transported off site and one person has been treated and released. The following roads are closed; Marina Vista from 680 to Court St., Shell from Marina Vista to Pacheco. Contra Costa Health has issued the following public health advisory and a CWS Level 3 Alert: “Residents in portions of Martinez, north of the refinery should shelter in place due to impacts from smoke. Please go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all heaters, air conditioners and fans. If not using the fireplace, close fireplace dampers and vents, and cover cracks around doors and windows with tape or damp towels. Updated emergency information can be found on media news networks and by going to www.cchealth.org [cchealth.org]. Stay off the telephone unless you have a life-threatening emergency.” For more info go to www.cchealth.org or www.cwsalerts.com. We will provide further updates.
Update 5:36 p.m.: Instagram statement from Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn. Closures of Pacheco Boulevard and Shell Avenue in effect:
Update 5:32 p.m.: Based on my preliminary research, this appears to be the first Level 3 Community Warning System incident at this refinery since October 2001, when a pair of such incidents also triggered shelter-in-place orders. Those incidents were summarized in this post:
https://martineznewsandviews.substack.com/p/2001-accidents-at-martinez-refinery
Update 5:24 p.m.: City of Martinez Instagram post says “no evacuation orders are currently anticipated.”
Update 5:10 p.m.: The fire has just been upgraded to Level 3 through the Community Warning System, the highest level on the CWS scale. This is the first Level 3 incident at the refinery — or any refinery in Contra Costa County — in many years.
Update 5:01 p.m.: Warning sirens sound minutes ago from the refinery, and Contra Costa Health is reporting the following shelter-in-place:
Feb. 1, 2025: At 4:49 p.m. a Shelter-in-place alert was declared for specific neighborhoods near Martinez Refining Company due to smoke from a fire at the facility.
Residents in portions of Martinez, north of the refinery should shelter in place due to impacts from smoke. Please go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all heaters, air conditioners and fans. If not using the fireplace, close fireplace dampers and vents, and cover cracks around doors and windows with tape or damp towels. Updated emergency information can be found on media news networks and by going to http://www.cchealth.orgStay off the telephone unless you have a life-threatening emergency.
PBF Energy’s Martinez refinery has activated a Level 2 alert through the county’s Community Warning System as a result of a fire and flaring Saturday afternoon. Level 2 alerts means that nearby residents with respiratory sensitivities could be affected.
Here is the notification on the refinery’s website, as of 3 p.m. Saturday:
Martinez Refining Company has reported a Community Warning System Level 2 notification for a fire and flaring at the refinery. All appropriate agencies have been notified. Contra Costa Health issued the following public health advisory: This is a public health advisory for all of Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. An incident at the Martinez Refining Company could affect individuals with respiratory sensitivities. Most people will not be affected. Eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation may be possible for some people in the affected area. If people experience any irritation, advise them to go inside and rinse any irritated area of their body with water. Handle this as advisory information only. For more info go to cchealth.org/hazmat." Our trained firefighters and refinery personnel are actively responding to incident and working to isolate the fire. All refinery personnel are accounted for. We will provide further updates.
Contra Costa Health said the fire broke out at 1:47 p.m. and that its hazardous materials crews are investigating to determine whether there are community health impacts.
Level 2 alerts for refinery incidents are rare. The last one at the PBF refinery occurred in December 2023 during a major flaring incident that caused strong odors. The high-profile Thanksgiving night “spent catalyst” release in 2022 that spread at least 20 tons of toxic dust on the surrounding community would have qualified as a Level 2 alert had the Community Warning System been activated as it should have been that night.
Community outrage reached a boiling point following the spent catalyst incident and a series of other ones that occurred throughout 2023, resulting in several outside investigations and a raucous City Council meeting in December 2023 in which refinery officials were taken to task by the public and council members.
A sharply worded letter by Contra Costa Health Chief Executive Officer Anna Roth that month called out the refinery for an “unacceptable number of hazardous materials releases and other incidents,” prompting PBF to pledge to work hard “to regain the trust of public officials and Martinez residents.”
Things quieted down significantly at the refinery in 2024, and refinery officials touted their safety improvements to the City Council. The refinery is in the midst of a major “turnaround” project involving the catalytic cracking unit that was the source of the November 2022 spent catalyst incident.
“I’m proud to say that this year there’s definitely been a change,” Refinery Manager Daniel Ingram told the council in September. “We’ve had a great year so far. I’m a little superstitious, so I’m going to knock on wood…”
Contra Costa Health’s recently launched hazardous materials incident dashboard shows that the PBF’s Martinez Refining Co. has recorded six CWS alerts since the beginning of the year, far more than any other county refinery.
Check back on this post for updates at the Martinez News and Views homepage.
The fire has now been upgraded to a Level 3, according to email just sent out by Martinez Alerts, with the shelter-in-place order. This is the highest level of alert through the CWS, and the first Level 3 incident at a Martinez refinery in many years.
I just got a ‘shelter in place’ advising to seal up all openings in your house voicemail from Contra Costa health.