A Monday morning electrical glitch at Martinez Refining Company sent flames into the sky and a sharp sulfur-like smell across parts of the East Bay, prompting a wave of calls from residents in Martinez and neighboring Benicia. The disturbance began at about 10:50 a.m., and refinery crews have been working to return units to planned operating rates, a process that can trigger intermittent flaring. Contra Costa Health sent its hazardous materials team to collect air samples and assess any health risk, and officials have asked the refinery for a formal 72-hour incident report while monitoring continues.
Refinery Blames Internal Electrical Problem
Martinez Refining Company said an internal electrical issue at about 10:50 a.m. disrupted operations, leading to visible flaring and offsite odors. The company warned that intermittent flaring could continue as crews "return the refinery to planned rates," and added, "We will investigate the root cause of the incident and identify corrective actions." Martinez Refining Company said all appropriate agencies had been notified.
County Hazmat Teams Fan Out, Incident Report On Deck
Contra Costa Health said its Hazardous Materials Program dispatched teams to conduct fence-line and neighborhood air monitoring after multiple complaints from Benicia and Martinez residents about a "strong odor." According to the agency, preliminary readings have not shown contaminant levels that would require community action, and officials have requested a 72-hour incident report from the refinery that will be posted on the county site for public review. Contra Costa Health continues to sample air at sensitive locations while investigators follow up.
Air District Probes Odor Complaints As Neighbors Speak Up
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District posted on X that inspectors were responding to complaints and staying in contact with the refinery to determine both the cause and necessary corrective actions. Local reporting said residents from Benicia to Crockett described the odor and watched visible flaring during the late-morning episode. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has been tracking complaints and updating the public.
Strong odor in Martinez. Air District inspectors are investigating, responding to complaints and in communication with #MRC Refinery to determine the cause and identify corrective actions. Follow instructions from local health officials and check back for updates. pic.twitter.com/wOwyGloWXs
— Bay Area Air Quality (@AirDistrict) January 26, 2026
Why The Flaring Freaks People Out
Flares are designed to burn off excess combustible gases during upsets and startups, a basic refinery safety measure that still tends to alarm neighbors when flames and smoke are visible. Martinez Refining Company notes that flaring is intended to keep the facility safe but acknowledges that black smoke and noticeable odors can occur under certain conditions. A history of refinery releases, including a large fire and smoke plume in early February 2025 that triggered health advisories, has only heightened community concern. Background from Martinez Refining Company and reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle help explain why residents are on edge when the flares light up.
Regulators Turn Up The Heat On Refinery Oversight
Local officials have already stepped up scrutiny after a string of incidents at the site, calling for records and unannounced inspections to scrutinize safety and maintenance practices. "Repeated commitments to the community and to regulators to improve the culture of safety at PBF have not resulted in improvement," Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover said during a recent inspection, underscoring why officials are pressing for more transparency. CBS News has reported that the county and the Air District are coordinating oversight and weighing possible enforcement if the refinery's 72-hour report shows any noncompliance.
How To Report Smells And Track What Is In The Air
Anyone who notices strong odors or unusual flaring can report complaints to Contra Costa Health's Hazardous Materials Program at 925-655-3232 for the 24-hour emergency line or 925-655-3200 during business hours. The county posts incident reports and monitoring results on its hazmat pages, and independent fence-line monitors provide near-real-time readings for Martinez neighborhoods. For official updates, see the county's hazmat page and the fence-line monitoring site. Contra Costa Health and fenceline.org are tracking the event.
