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February 4, 2025 – Update
INCIDENT RESPONSE
At 6:50 am, February 4, 2025, Martinez Refining Company (MRC) and contract firefighters extinguished the remaining small residual fire at the refinery. Fire crews remain on scene and will continue monitoring the situation. We want to thank our expert fire brigade and our Mutual Aid industry partners, as well as Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ConFire) for their assistance in the response. There is still the potential for intermittent flaring throughout the week. Refinery operating units have been shut down except required utility and environmental systems.
Additionally, refinery personnel have made great progress managing water runoff from the scene and have been pumping water into storage tanks to keep it confined to refinery property. We also 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, a total of six workers were evaluated by medical personnel and released.
UPDATED HEALTH GUIDANCE
This is a message from Contra Costa Health. “Contra Costa Health (CCH) has lifted a public health advisory today at 3 p.m. following confirmation that the fire at Martinez Refining Company (MRC) is out. Residents in the affected area can now resume normal activities and should open doors and windows to air out buildings and homes.”
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, called a Cat Feed Hydrotreater (CFH), 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.
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, Contract Partners, Mutual Aid Partners, and Agency Representatives for their support in responding to the incident.
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.
COMMUNITY INQUIRIES
Community inquiries can be made to 925-313-3601.
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