Flaring event at Phillips 66 refinery in Rodeo sends out heavy smoke

RODEO -- Smoke was billowing from the Phillips 66 Refinery in Rodeo during a flaring event Tuesday afternoon.

The Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department sent an alert about the flaring at 5:16 p.m. The department did not immediately have any additional information.

Contra Costa Health Services said a hazardous materials team was responding to conduct air monitoring in the area and that no offsite health impacts have been reported. 

A spokesman for the Phillips 66 refinery said in a statement to KPIX Tuesday evening, 

"At approximately 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, the Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery experienced flaring due to a temporary loss of power. Our trained teams are responding and working to stop the ongoing flaring. All refinery safety systems functioned as designed, and all appropriate regulatory notifications have been made. There are no injuries, and all personnel are safe. Regulatory agencies and refinery personnel have been conducting air monitoring. The safety of the community, the environment and our people is our company's top priority. Flares are important safety devices used in refineries and petrochemical facilities. They safely burn excess hydrocarbon gases that cannot be recovered or recycled."

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