Category Archives: Martinez CA

Martinez Health Advisory Ongoing, Community Alerts Provide Updates, Relief

Uncredited image from ClayCord.com.

By BenIndy, February 2, 2024

Contra Costa Health (CCH) has lifted the Shelter in Place order and stopped the community warning sirens after the Martinez Refining Company erupted in flames yesterday.

While air quality near the refinery has improved, a public health advisory remains in effect for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde, with CCH advising residents with respiratory sensitivities to stay indoors.

READ: Martinez Health Advisory Remains in Effect Today

Investigations into the fire’s cause and effects will be extensive, given its severity. While the blaze was contained to the refinery, massive smoke columns and harmful emissions spread across Contra Costa and Solano Counties, potentially threatening the health and safety of thousands.

Community Alerts

The threat to human health and safety was somewhat contained by Contra Costa’s Community Warning System, which helped alert local residents to the immediate danger and notify them of evacuation and Shelter in Place orders.

The Bay Area Air District (BAAQMD) also issued two community warnings on Saturday to ensure the public was aware of the incident before issuing an incident report Sunday morning briefly describing the chain of events on Saturday.

The Air District responded to reports of an oily smell in Martinez around 10:45 am, which were soon linked to a fire at the Martinez Refining Company. MRC issued a Level 2 alert for the fire in its Light Oil Processing area, where Air District staff observed the flames and emissions.

READ: Air District INCIDENT REPORT for MRC Level 3 Fire (February 1, 2025)

By 5:00 p.m., Contra Costa County Health escalated the warning to Level 3, with the fire later being mostly contained and the source isolated. Level 3 incidents are classified by CCH as severe emergencies that pose immediate threats to public health or safety, requiring urgent protective actions like shelter-in-place orders or evacuations.

“Scared” in Benicia

Benicia residents also received fire and emissions warnings through the city’s own community warning system, operated by the Benicia Fire Department.

For Benicians not signed up for alerts from Contra Costa County, or agencies like the Air District, or third-party apps like FireWatch, the City of Benicia’s direct communication to residents was welcomed as a breath of fresh air.

SIGN UP: Enroll in Contra Costa’s Community Warning System

SIGN UP: News and Alerts from the Air District

SIGN UP: Learn About Benicia’s Community Alert System (through Alert Solano)

Some Benicians noted they may not have even known about the potential health risks without the City’s alerts, let alone known how to respond. Others commented that the notification offered not much more than temporary peace of mind, although that peace of mind was appreciated.

“At first, I honestly didn’t think the city was going to do anything at all about it,” said one resident, who requested anonymity for fear of being accused of politicizing the incident in light of Benicia City Council’s upcoming status report regarding adopting a local Industrial Safety Ordinance.

The resident continued: “I didn’t think I could expect that kind of thing from Benicia. I feel like it’s ‘minimize, minimize, forget, repeat’ whenever anything bad happens here. But that text meant I slept okay at home last night, with my family.”

Martinez Refinery blaze now two-alarm fire – injuries, commercial damage reported

Uncredited image from ClayCord.com.

By BenIndy, February 1, 2024

The incident commander for the fire that broke out at the Martinez Refinery this Saturday afternoon has reportedly called for a second alarm.

According to Claycord.com, a group that posts local breaking news:

Shell Ave and Marina Vista Ave are being closed in the area. One individual, a member of refinery staff, is being transported by ambulance. We’re also now hearing that multiple people in the area, heard two explosions immediately prior to the large smoke plume.

READ: Public Health Advisory for Martinez, parts of Pacheco & Clyde

 

Martinez Refinery reportedly ablaze, public health advisories issued

Fire crews were sent to fight flames and an apparent explosion at the Martinez Refining Company near Shell Avenue and Marina Vista Avenue. | Mercury News.

By BenIndy, February 1, 2024

A fire has reportedly broken out at the Martinez Refinery this Saturday afternoon, according to officials with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Crews have responded to the scene. The cause of the smoke and flames is currently unknown. No injuries have been reported.

A public health advisory has been issued for Martinez and Pacheco; individuals with respiratory issues may be impacted.

READ: Public Health Advisory for Martinez, parts of Pacheco & Clyde

Rick Hurd from the Bay Area News Group reported to The Mercury News that the Martinez Refinery Company confirmed that the refinery had been evacuated and all refinery personnel are accounted for. Hurd also noted witnesses reporting “uncontrolled flames” shooting at least 200 feet in the air, with billowing black smoke moving east. Reports of at least one explosion have not been confirmed.

The company has reported the incident as a Level 2 notification — which include a hazardous materials release or potential release that is expected to have “off-site consequences and possibly adverse health consequences.”

This post has been updated to reflect new information.

Contra Costa to hold Apr. 11 public meeting on 2022 Martinez refinery releases (Zoom available)

Click to enlarge.

Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program, issued April 1, 2024

The public has an opportunity to comment on the Incident Investigation/ Root Cause Analysis report (from a third-party consultant)associated with a spent catalyst release from the Martinez Refining Company (MRC) which occurred between November 24-25, 2022. The 45-day comment period is opening on April 4, 2024, and then closes on May 20, 2024. A public meeting will be held at the Contra Costa County Administration Building, Room 110A/B/C located at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez on April 11, 2024, from 6:00PM to 8:00 PM.

To join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/98874840760
or Dial: (669) 900-6833 Webinar ID: 988 7484 0760

At this meeting, Contra Costa Health’s Hazardous Materials Programs (CCHHMP) will discuss the findings from the Independent Incident Investigation/Root Cause Analysis and receive comments about the report.

A copy of the report can be found at the following link: https://cchealth.prod.govaccess.org/home/showdocument?id=29932&t=638471488684042938

More about the release

MRC had a particulate matter release from their Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (CCU) on November 24-25, 2022. This release was estimated to have emitted 20-24 tons of fine particulate matter, called spent catalyst, into the surrounding community. TheCounty, working with an Oversight Committee, hired Scott Berger and Associates to perform the incident investigation. TheOversight Committee included members of the community, the City of Martinez, the City of Benicia, United Steel Workers, a refinery representative, and CCHHMP.

If you are interested and are available, attend the Public Meeting or submit comments on the report to Hazmat.Arpteam@cchealth.org or mail comments to the following address:

Contra Costa Health Hazardous Materials Programs
Attn: Michael Dossey
4585 Pacheco Blvd., Ste. 100
Martinez, CA 94553


More about Contra Costa’s search for accountability and transparency from refineries on BenIndy:

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