MARTINEZ — About 100 Contra Costa County residents gathered Thursday at John Muir Elementary School to raise concerns about safety and pollution at Martinez-area industrial facilities, urging Rep. Mark DeSaulnier to push for stronger enforcement, worker protections and clearer public warnings. The discussion focused on Martinez Refining Company and the nearby Marathon Martinez Renewable Facility, amid a history of fires, flaring and pollution. More than 160 violations have been reported at the refinery since 2020, leading to a $10 million penalty earlier this year. A major incident came in February 2025, when a refinery fire sent smoke and soot into surrounding communities and led to a four-day public health advisory. At Marathon’s renewable fuels facility, a worker was critically injured in a 2023 fire. Workers have raised additional safety concerns in recent months. DeSaulnier criticized what he described as increased flaring and inadequate respect for the skilled workforce, saying the near-fatal injury underscored those concerns. He also warned that some companies may reduce safety programs by cutting workforce costs. Resident Stephanie T. said people want timely information so they can protect their families and surroundings. A public dashboard for reporting and tracking incidents in real time is now online. Marathon said in a written statement earlier this year that it had corrected problems that contributed to the 2023 fire and was continuing work on safety and reliability. DeSaulnier acknowledged the facilities’ importance to the local economy, while saying their success should not come at the expense of workers or nearby communities.