Massive fire erupts at world's largest battery power plant in California VIDEO

A major fire erupted at a sprawling power plant in Moss Landing, California, which is home to one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities.

The blaze, reported by the Monterey County Department of Emergency Response, prompted evacuations across eight districts in the region, as emergency services raced to control the flames, according to Caliber.Az citing US media.

The fire, which broke out at a facility housing tens of thousands of lithium-ion batteries, is fueling concerns over the potential dangers associated with such high-capacity energy storage plants. The Moss Landing facility plays a pivotal role in the region’s energy infrastructure, and the flames have raised alarm over both environmental and safety risks. North County fire services are working tirelessly on-site to contain the blaze, with the scale of the fire escalating due to the volatile nature of lithium batteries.

This incident comes at a time when California is reeling from the devastation caused by massive wildfires. On January 7, the state experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires in Los Angeles County alone burning over 16,000 hectares. The ferocity of the flames has left at least 25 dead, destroyed more than 12,000 buildings — including the homes of numerous Hollywood celebrities — and caused damages that are expected to top $250 billion.

Meteorologists point to dry, windy conditions as the main culprits behind the fast-spreading fires, with gusts of up to 31 meters per second. The fires’ rapid escalation overwhelmed firefighting efforts, which were hampered by a lack of available water in fire hydrants. By mid-January, around 180,000 residents had been forced to evacuate, with new fires continuing to spark in Riverside County.

The financial fallout from the fires is substantial, with many high-tech and insurance companies facing potential bankruptcy due to the extensive damage. As the fires rage on, experts warn that the social and economic impact of this disaster could significantly increase tensions within the US, affecting not only the local communities but the broader national economy as well.

In a striking comparison, former President Donald Trump likened the devastation to the aftermath of a nuclear strike, a testament to the unprecedented destruction California is facing. As the situation unfolds, the state continues to grapple with the human and environmental toll, as well as the enormous cost of recovery.

By Tamilla Hasanova