
Graphic source: Martinez Refining Company. Refinery fire on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. Photo source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Monday, February 3, 2025
INCIDENT RESPONSE
Martinez Refining Company (MRC) continues to have the small residual fire under control. You may see minimal smoke until further notice. Because of significant progress made, all mutual aid firefighting crews have left the site, and we thank them for their tremendous response to the incident. Flaring continues with the potential for intermittent flaring throughout the week. Refinery operating units have been shut down except required utility systems.
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 runoff continues to be contained on the refinery’s property, and we have boom deployed to keep it contained, as well as equipment removing the runoff and transporting it to the refinery’s water treatment system.
Our top priorities remain the safety and security of responders, as well as maximizing protection of public health and safety. As previously reported, six workers were evaluated by medical personnel and released.
INCIDENT BACKGROUND
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, two workers were opening equipment in preparation for planned maintenance on one of the refinery’s process units, which had been shut down on Thursday, January 30, 2025. It is currently believed that, while opening the equipment, hydrocarbon material started to leak. The two workers immediately evacuated the area, and the material subsequently caught fire, which spread within the immediate vicinity. Both of those workers were transported offsite for medical evaluation and released.
MRC’s fire crews quickly responded and began suppressing the fire. They called for mutual aid from industry partners and support from Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ConFire).
To manage the response, MRC, ConFire, and the Martinez Police Department formed a Unified Command, which allows multiple agencies and organizations to effectively work together. By approximately 8:30 p.m., the fire had been suppressed to the point the Unified Command transitioned back to MRC, which continues to manage the incident response.
INVESTIGATION
We are deeply sorry for the disruption and concern we have caused the community. After the response is complete, we will thoroughly investigate the incident in accordance with the Contra Costa County Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) to identify the root cause and take appropriate corrective actions. We will continue to work collaboratively with all agencies involved, and thank our employees, mutual aid partners, and agency representatives for their support in responding to the incident.
HEALTH GUIDANCE
Contra Costa Health has issued the following message: “Contra Costa Health (CCH) recommends that residents of Martinez, parts of Pacheco and Clyde who have respiratory sensitivity remain indoors with doors and windows shut today while smoke continues to clear from a fire at Martinez Refining Company (MRC). A map of the affected area will be available at cwsalerts.com while this health advisory remains in effect. CCH will notify the community when the health advisory is lifted.”
ABOUT FLARING
Flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems, which are designed to safely manage excess gases through efficient, effective combustion. In addition to seeing the flare, you may feel a rumbling sound which is the result of the mixing of vapors, air and steam during the flaring process. You can learn more about flaring on our website: https://martinezrefiningcompany.com/about-flaring/.
MRC FENCELINE MONITORING
MRC’s fenceline air monitoring program uses high-tech sensors to monitor in “real time” specific emissions that may cross the facility’s fenceline. Our systems monitor, record, and report multiple compounds. You are welcome to view real-time fenceline measurements at our air monitoring website: http://www.fenceline.org/martinez/.
CLAIMS
If you have a concern related to the incident, MRC has set up a claims line. Please call 800-542-7113 and leave the following information:
· Full Name
· Complete Address
· Telephone Number
· Email address
In addition, please describe the concern you would like to discuss, and a company representative will return your call.
FUTURE UPDATES
Further updates will be posted on MRC’s social media and website (www.martinezrefiningcompany.com). Community inquiries can be made to 925-313-3601.
Sincerely,
Martinez Refining Company Community Relations Team
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