Gas Prices On The Rise Statewide After Richmond Fire - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SALINAS, Calif. -- Gas Prices On The Rise Statewide After Richmond Fire. Since the oil refinery fire in Richmond, gas prices are expected to spike to $4 next week and $4.50 by Labor Day!

We talked with locals who are already feeling the pinch from the already high gas prices. College student Edwin Serrato paid $45.85 to fill up at the AM PM in Salinas. He has to fill up at least twice a week to get to and from school and drive family members to work. "I go to Monterey so to be coming and going, I spend more and more money," said Serrato.

When we told him there could be another rise at the pumps, he said he didn't know how he would make ends meet now knowing school would probably suffer first. "It hurts me and my family because they're helping me with it paying because my job isn't enough," said Serrato.

On Wednesday the oil refinery fire in the Bay Area was topic of conversation at some of the gas stations we went to. "It's really interesting how the regional catastrophes like the fire in Richmond can immediately cause the prices of gas to spike," said Michael Gilroy.

Prices throughout California could go up to $4 by next week and prices could even spike to $4.50 by Labor Day. "They're going to keep going up until you get about 200,000 to 300,000 people that show up in the nation's capital on the mall there and protest it," said Gilroy.