The following information was provided by the
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality via email:
On August 5, 2022, at 2240 [CDT] smoke was reported in Coal Bunker D [at the Hugo Plant]. Staff immediately began procedures to extinguish the fire. Coal Bunker D is located directly below Coal Feeder D and this caused thermal heat around the piping which feeds Coal Feeder D. A plug detector, which is a RA-226 source, is mounted around this pipe. By 0600 on August 6, 2022, the Coal Bunker D was down to 120 degrees. The plant staff notified, the WFEC [Western Farmers Electric Cooperative] Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), at 0640 to check the nuclear gauging device (D FDR Top, serial #SE2562, source amount is 2 mCi).
Upon arriving at the plant, the RSO surveyed the area around the gauge and determined the area was safe. The gauge had received radiant heat from the fire causing the paint to be removed from the gauge. The survey meter read 0.7 mR/hr to 1.0 mR/hr around the gauge which is normal. The RSO also conducted an inhouse leak test check with the survey meter. The background was 0.1 mR/hr and sample was 0.2 mR/hr. WFEC is contacting the manufacturer to determine if further inspection is needed.
At the time of this notification
WFEC believes that no radiation exposure or leaks have occurred.