County officials say monitoring operations are returning to normal after a flare-up at the Moss Landing Battery Plant Tuesday evening.

North County Fire District reported a “light beam of smoke” around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, which later intensified and turned into a fire. An advisory was sent out by the county for people in the area to close their windows and turn off their air conditioners for the evening.

“The fire started underneath a pile of rubble that had originally burned Jan. 16,” said Chief Joel Mendoza. “The fire went through different intensities throughout the night and went out at around 8 a.m.”

Fire officials say the incident is now under control.

“At this point we’re back to normal operations and remain on-scene for the foreseeable future,” Mendoza said.

There were public concerns about the smoke drifting into the air and how that would affect air quality. Though officials say there is no risk to public health at this time.

Eric Sandusky, an on-scene coordinator with the Environmental Protection Agency said air monitoring continues 24 hours a day, and at the end of each day metal samples are sent to a lab.

Sandusky said these flare ups are common in lithium battery fires, and are being exacerbated by the rainy season.

“Unfortunately these batteries are damaged and they are impacted by the weather, so it is very common that flare ups will happen,” Sandusky said. “During the fire, you don’t get a complete burn of the battery, so there are still damaged batteries inside and when water and elements touch the electrodes, it burns.”

The Environmental Protection Agency is slated to start de-linking the batteries alongside Vistra on Friday.

“This will safely reduce the possibility of a large fire,” Sandusky said.

The county health department is launching a community survey to ask residents about their experience during the fire and any symptoms they may be experiencing at http://www.mtyhd.org/MLFireSurvey.

The survey is open to anyone who wants to participate and will be available through March 14.

There is also an application to submit a report to the Monterey County Health Department’s Environmental Health Bureau online at http://www.mtyhd.org/mosslanding-concern-form or by leaving a voice message at (831) 755-4505.