Petroleum Coke (“Pet Coke”) Fire at Shoreside Facility, Benicia, CA

Benicia, CA | 2022-Apr-09

Initial Notification: At 1520 hrs on 09-APR-022, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC regarding an apparent petroleum coke (“pet coke”) fire at a shoreside facility in Benicia, CA. The fire had reportedly started around 1330 hrs local and was potentially threatening a nearby industrial pier where three large vessels were moored (tank ship, car carrier, and bulk cargo carrier). Local fire department was engaged with the fire on-scene while Sector SF was in transit for improved situational information. As a precaution, Sector SF requested a spot forecast and smoke plume model to better understand potential air hazards to responders and downwind populations.