Martinez still under public health advisory after fire at refinery
More than 24 hours a large fire broke out at the Martinez Refining Company, Contra Costa health officials continue to urge nearby residents with respiratory sensitivity to stay indoors if possible, as concerns about air quality persist.
The advisory is for Martinez, parts of Pacheco and Clyde. According to Contra Costa Health, those with respiratory sensitivities should stay indoors and keep windows closed as smoke from the fire clears.
The fire at the refinery was mostly out as of 11 a.m. Sunday, Contra Costa Health said.
The fire began around 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, sending massive flames and thick black smoke billowing from the facility. Firefighters have been working to contain the blaze, which, according to officials, was sparked by a hydrocarbon leak that occurred during maintenance activities.
A public health advisory was issued as the community warning system listed the incident as a level 2 alert.
It was then listed as a level 3 alert at 4:48 p.m. and a shelter-in-place order was issued for residents in the area. The order remained in effect until 9:12 p.m. Saturday evening
While the exact contents of the smoke remain unclear, the refinery produces gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, heightening fears about the potential health risks.
Saturday's fire injured at least six people. Four people were taken to a hospital for treatment Saturday and three were released, said Ted Leach, a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District captain. Two others were treated at the scene and released, he said.
In their incident report, Bay Area Air District said that staff received and responded to 30 complaints from the community which alleging odors and smoke related to the fire. Their investigation into Saturday's fire is ongoing.
For nearby residents like Julie, who declined to provide her last name and lives next to the refinery, the fire was a terrifying sight.
"That was crazy. It was really crazy to see it. It was so close," Julie said, describing the intense flames.
Although she stayed inside her home, she expressed concern about the potential hazards of the smoke.
"I didn't want to take that chance of breathing something that wasn't good for my body," she added.
Others in the neighborhood also voiced fears, with some initially worried that the refinery could explode.
"I'm a little worried because I haven't seen anything this close like that," said Warren Ketcherside, another area resident. "I said [to my wife], 'Get in the car, we're going.' So we left."
The fire is said to be the worst seen in the area in recent memory. While the refinery has a history of flaring and occasional releases, residents have noted that this event has caused more widespread alarm.
"It's worst I've ever seen. Definitely the worst I've ever seen. I mean, the flaring thing, that happens kind of frequently, you just get used to it," said Gina Sharp, another neighbor of the refinery for 15 years.
Fortunately, the rainy weather on Saturday helped dissipate some of the smoke, as winds pushed the thick black plumes toward the Delta, away from many of the populated neighborhoods. Despite this, Contra Costa County health officials have received multiple complaints about a strong chemical odor, with some residents describing the smell as "heavy" and "chemically."
The refinery is continuing to release white smoke, and the company has warned that intermittent flaring may continue throughout the week.
Representative with the refinery also released a statement regarding water runoff from the firefight.
"At 5:10 p.m., on Sunday, February 2, 2025, MRC reported a Community Warning System Level 1 notification for firefighting water runoff containing hydrocarbons that overflowed one of the refinery's wastewater containment ponds," the statement read. "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 Martinez Refining Company has faced criticism in the past for its history of flaring and chemical releases, and it is currently facing three lawsuits from local residents over safety concerns and claims of declining property values.
Blair Kittle, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in one of the three lawsuits, argued that the refinery could have done more to prevent the fire.
"If the refinery had spent more on safety and preventative measures, we might have seen a different result," Kittle said.
As for Julie, she plans to take precautionary measures at home.
"I have cabbage right here. And then my avocado plants were blooming. But now it's all chemically. Just for safety, I don't want to eat anything that's got poison on it," she said, noting that she plans to remove the plants and soil from her garden.
Investigators continue to work to determine the full extent of the damage and to uncover the specific cause of the fire. Meanwhile, residents remain on edge, uncertain about the potential long-term impact on their health and safety.