Today many of you may have noticed a large flare, including fire and smoke, coming from the Chevron facility in El Segundo, near our schools. We were briefed by Chevron representatives and the El Segundo Fire Department who assured us that the flares were controlled safety measures and that they posed no imminent threat or danger to our community. The refinery lost power this morning and initiated the flare as a safety measure to burn off their product.
At the high school campus, there was a strong smell coming from the outside and it came inside as well. The blower system pushed the air out of the building through the roof. This proved successful.
The El Segundo Fire Department and Chevron Fire Department are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure there is no threat to the public.
Please see the FAQ from Chevron for more information about refinery flares.