by Stephen Hawkins

Sat, January 18th 2025 at 4:18 PM

Updated Sat, January 18th 2025 at 4:18 PM

(Courtesy: KGO via CNN Newsource) – aec80390-8b63-40e2-93cd-ada16f27d03f.png

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — The Moss Landing Power Plant that caught fire on Thursday flared back up on Friday.

Monterey County officials held another news conference Friday after the fire started back up after 1:30 p.m.

Flames and black smoke could be seen shooting through the roof from helicopters flying above.

The fire started at the Vistra Energy battery plant in Moss Landing, roughly 80 miles south of San Francisco.

On Thursday, the fire caused 1,700 people to evacuate, closed part of Highway 1, and generated huge flames and significant amounts of smoke.

The cause is under investigation.

Experts say lithium batteries are a safe technology and essential for lowering carbon emissions and making grids more reliable.

Still, residents near the fire expressed concerns about the impact.