Why Flames Will Be Visible At Torrance Refinery This Week

TORRANCE, CA — South Bay residents may see flames coming from the Torrance Refining Company this week, but city officials say the flaring is scheduled.

The refinery is expected to begin flaring at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, with the operation scheduled to continue until 11:59 p.m. Friday, according to an alert issued by the city of Torrance.

Flaring is the controlled burning of excess combustible gases through refinery flare systems. The South Coast Air Quality Management District says flares are used as safety devices to dispose of gases that otherwise could be released directly into the atmosphere.

Planned flaring can occur during scheduled maintenance, equipment startups and shutdowns or other anticipated operations requiring the disposal of excess combustible gases, according to the air quality agency.

The Torrance Refining Company operates the refinery at 3700 W. 190th St. South Coast AQMD maintains information about flaring at the Torrance facility and operates a Flare Event Notification System that tracks reported refinery flare events.

Residents with questions or concerns about refinery operations can call the Torrance Refining Company's 24-hour Neighborhood Hotline at 310-505-3158. South Coast AQMD can be reached at 909-396-2000.