Refinery flare up generates smoke in El Paso’s Lower Valley

EL PASO, Texas -- A flare up at the Marathon Petroleum El Paso Refinery generated smoke and flames Tuesday visible in the sky over the Lower Valley, but officials said the flaring was a part of standard operating conditions that posed no reason for concern.

The refinery's flame was burning larger than normal as part of a safety effort to manage the pressure in its process units, officials indicated.

The refinery said it had deployed air-monitoring resources in areas adjacent to the facility as a precaution, but there was "no immediate indication of any off-site impact."

The former Western Refinery, now operated by Marathon, is located at 212 N Clark Drive.