Fire at Valero refinery in Benicia, residents ordered to shelter-in-place for some time
The East Bay was advised to prepare for toxic smoke heading towards Walnut Creek & down the 680 corridor.
BENICIA, Calif. — A fire ignited Monday morning at an oil refinery owned by Valero in Benicia. Flames sent large plumes of black smoke into the air.
Residents in the area were instructed to shelter in place and keep their windows and doors closed for much of the morning.
Motorists on Interstate 680 in Concord reported seeing the smoke column. The fire was also visible on a live Alert California remote camera.
The East Bay should prepare for toxic smoke likely heading towards Walnut Creek & down the 680 corridor. At this time, Bay Area Air District officials say they are monitoring air quality. “There is potential for smoke impacts in the immediate area and downwind neighborhoods,” an air district spokesperson said.
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100068138667293%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0NJwbE3zRXdtmqt9yumDVzk2AXmmykaYtrkqtTQQ7TmWYzm7QsqYC3WvFAo84d7W3l%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&width=350&show_text=true&height=737&appId" width="350" height="737" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe>At 10:12 AM, the Benicia Fire Department said that crews from Fairfield and Vallejo were on the scene assisting in the firefight. They added that air quality monitoring devices have been deployed to monitor air quality in the surrounding areas, with HazMat also on the scene.
They advised residents turn off the recirculated air function on their air conditioning units.
By noon, authorities had the fire under control and the shelter in place order was lifted.
Then, early the following week, The Bay Area Air District sent mutliple notices of violation to the Valero Refining Company.
Smoke from the fire had an impact on air quality in surrounding communities, resulting in two excessive emissions violations as well as a public nuisance violation, the air district said.