MARTINEZ, California – A massive Martinez Refinery Fire burned nearly three hours before Contra Costa County officials activated warning sirens, raising public safety and air quality concerns.
The fire erupted at 1:30 p.m. on February 3, 2025, at the Martinez Refining Co., sending thick, black smoke across the region. However, it wasn’t until 5 p.m.—after conditions worsened and smoke began sinking lower, officials activated the community warning system.
Residents expressed frustration and fear, citing a lack of timely communication from local authorities. Many families evacuated, while others remained outside watching as the fire raged on.
A Delayed Warning and Rising Concerns
Despite the rapid escalation of the refinery fire, county officials initially held off on activating emergency sirens. Contra Costa County Deputy Health Director Matt Kaufmann stated that onshore winds initially pushed smoke away from residential areas, reducing the immediate health threat.
However, by 5 p.m., officials observed that cooling efforts had caused the smoke to settle closer to the ground, increasing the risk of exposure to hazardous air pollutants. At that point, sirens finally sounded every 30 minutes until the emergency subsided later that night.
Residents and environmental advocates raised questions about potential long-term health effects, given that the exact chemicals involved in the fire remain unknown.
Investigation into the Fire’s Cause
According to PBF Energy, the refinery’s operator, workers were performing scheduled maintenance when hydrocarbons began leaking and ignited. Fortunately, the workers evacuated safely, but the fire quickly spread, leading to widespread concern.
A statement from the Martinez Refining Co. acknowledged the situation: “We are truly sorry for this incident and are working to ensure the safety of our employees and the surrounding community.”
As of Tuesday morning, the fire had been fully extinguished, but refinery operations remain shut down.
