BREAKING NEWS: Level 2 Community Warning System Alert Issued for Martinez Refinery Flaring

Classification makes it the most significant incident involving MRC since November 2022 spent catalyst release

Dec. 17 Update: For the latest developments on this incident, click on the following post:

Contra Costa County public health officials have issued a “Level 2” alert through the Community Warning System in response to a significant flaring event at the Martinez Refining Co. this morning.

The alert means that individuals with “respiratory sensitivities” may experience health impacts. Here is the notification that just went out from the city of Martinez’s alert-notification system, which also notes that most people will not be affected by the flaring:

According to a statement on Contra Costa Health Services’ website:

A CCH Hazardous Materials team is investigating in the community. People with respiratory sensitivities should stay indoors with doors and windows closed if there is an odor in their area, and use a HEPA air filter if available. The cause of the odor has not been determined. Updates will be posted at cchealth.org. 

If my recollection is correct, this is the first “Level 2” alert involving MRC since the November 2022 spent catalyst release that generated significant attention and investigations into MRC’s operations. Although the Community Warning System was not activated in that incident as it should have been, health officials later said it would have qualified as a Level 2 alert, which indicates possible impacts for sensitive populations.

MRC issued the following statement and update on its Facebook page about this morning’s incident.

I will attempt to update this post throughout the day as more information becomes known.