Overview
- Crews reported a flare-up shortly after 6:15 a.m. on Sept. 18, 2026 that involved about 1,500 energized lithium‑ion modules against the north wall of a structure damaged in the January 2025 fire.
- Monterey County ordered shelter‑in‑place for areas within roughly one‑third of a mile and closed Dolan Road while the plant was evacuated, and most orders were later lifted after officials said no workers or residents were injured.
- The U.S. EPA and Monterey Bay Air Resources District set up air monitors and told a noon briefing they had not detected particulate or hydrogen‑fluoride levels above health screening thresholds at that time.
- The blaze occurred during EPA‑overseen demolition to reach hard‑to‑access, heavily damaged batteries, and officials said cleanup and battery removal will continue into 2027 with remaining charged units posing ongoing flare‑up risk.
- The repeat incident renewed community frustration and legal and regulatory scrutiny from the 2025 disaster and may increase pressure for faster root‑cause findings, tougher safety standards for older battery sites, and changes to cleanup practices.