The following is an excerpt from a report received from the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality via email:
A fire occurred within the Mestena Uranium LLC License Area in the vicinity of PAA-3 on August 9, 2016. The fire was discovered at approximately 1545 CDT by US Border Patrol agents who were conducting activities in the vicinity. Mestena personnel discovered the fire at about the same and upon investigation determined the fire required additional support at which time the local fire department was notified and arrived on site at approximately 1620 CDT to battle the fire.
Fire crews declared the fire out/controlled by 2000 [CDT]. No injuries occurred during the firefighting activities.
[The licensee] contacted [The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality] by telephone at approximately 2110 [CDT] to inform [them] that the fire was declared out and that an investigation into the fire will be initiated which will include follow-up actions required to remediate any impacts caused by the fire.
The fire burned approximately 60 acres, most of which was within the PAA-3 Mine Area. The fire damaged or destroyed surface infrastructure associated with the in-situ mining activities permitted under UIC permit UR03060PA3.
As a precaution, high volume air samples were collected while the firefighting was occurring. Samples were collected from downwind locations along the perimeter of the fire zone. Additional samples were collected on August 10th . Bioassay samples were also collected from individuals who participated in the firefighting activities.
A written report that conforms to 30 TAC 336.335(c)(2) will be submitted to TCEQ [Texas Commission on Environmental Quality] within 30 days.
Texas State Event Report ID No.: Not assigned yet