Category Archives: Refinery fire
Valero refinery fire – smoke traveling southward over Benicia and into Contra Costa
Bay Area Air District issues Advisory for smoke and fire at Valero
DATE: May 5, 2025
CONTACT: communications@baaqmd.gov
Air quality advisory for smoke from fire at Valero
Potential localized smoke impacts in Southern Solano and parts of Contra Costa counties
SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for smoke in Southern Solano, northern Contra Costa, “and northwestern Alameda counties”, specifically communities between I-80 and I-680 bridges (Martinez, Pacheco, Concord and Port Chicago), but with some impact possible southward to Oakland, due to a fire at Valero.
Localized impacts near the fire and in downwind neighborhoods are possible, including smoky skies, the smell of smoke and elevated levels of particulate pollution and other harmful pollutants. This is based on current meteorological conditions which can change depending on the duration of the fire. The Air District will be closely monitoring 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 investigating the incident, responding to public complaints and documenting any violations of air quality regulations. Once the investigation 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, and temperatures allow, 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.
Check the U.S. EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map to see if smoke is affecting your area at: https://fire.airnow.gov/.
The Bay Area Air District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area. Connect with the Air District via Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Valero structure on fire – shelter in place if you smell smoke!
Citizen alerts circulated on BeniciaResist around 9:15 AM. Solano Alert went out at 9:34 AM.
Latest update from Solano Fire Department on its Facebook page at 10:10 AM:
Martinez Health Advisory Ongoing, Community Alerts Provide Updates, Relief
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.”
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