Hazmat team investigating flaring at Richmond Chevron refinery due to partial power outage

RICHMOND, Calif. - A plume of black smoke emanated for hours from Chevron's Richmond refinery following a power outage at the facility. The smoke seen throughout the area began to billow from the facility Monday afternoon. 

The flaring stopped shortly before 9 p.m., according to the refinery. However, intermittent flaring remains a possibility. 

The Chevron refinery put out a statement shortly after 4:15 p.m. on social media to say the flaring was because a portion of their facility experienced a loss of power. County health officials said the refinery notified them that they were experiencing flaring at 3:45 p.m. 

"Our employees are working quickly to minimize and stop the flaring," the statement read. 

As a result, a Community Warning System Level 1 has been issued due to the visibility of the flare and the smoke. Chevron says no action is required by the public. 

Officials at Contra Costa Health said smoke is visible in the surrounding community. A hazardous materials team has arrived at the refinery to investigate, but no health advisories have been issued. 

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has received 51 complaints regarding the smoke. They said to avoid smoke exposure and to follow instructions from local health officials.  

For those living nearby, there was understandable concern. Some said they saw a big flame, some said it was scary. Some said they want the refinery to be relocated to a non-residential area. 

Chevron, in their statement, explained that flares are regulated safety devices put in place to keep the refinery running smoothly. 

Some homeowners we spoke with seemed fed up. "The flaring is normal? Yeah. No. I don't ever trust an oil company," said Lisa Franck of Richmond. "I would say multiple times a week I see the flares."

In an update, Chevron said they are continuing to respond to the situation and are trying to minimize the flaring. They are in contact with Richmond Fire Department, the county health department, and air quality management officials. Chevron provided a link to a flaring "fact sheet." 

"This is just a process that the refinery uses to burn off hydrocarbons. That's what you're seeing being flared off, said Contra Costa County Health spokesperson Adam Springer. "They're just working to see if they can get this situation as stable as possible."

Flaring at the Chevron Richmond refinery creates a plume of smoke. Nov. 27, 2023.

The refinery provided a link to monitor real-time air-quality data. You can find that link here. 

KTVU Meteorologist Bill Martin says the population most likely to be affected by the smoke is Marin County and parts of San Francisco due to the northwestern direction the wind is blowing. 

"In this case, we've got an opposite wind direction. This is not a prevailing wind. This is a wind that is generated this time of the year. The winds are blowing the smoke towards the coast," Martin explained.

Contra Costa Health continues to test the air into the night. They said they have not seen any measurable impacts on the community. 

County health officials said they are awaiting a full report from the refinery on this flaring situation. That report is due in the next 72 hours. 

KTVU's Zak Sos contributed to this report.