Fire danger at the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Washington state has escalated from “very high” earlier this week to “extreme” on Wednesday as the region continues to suffer through a heatwave and the threat of power disruptions, according to an advisory from the landlord contractor at the cleanup property.
With daytime highs in triple digits into next week, Hanford is utilizing maximum telework of about 40%, according to DOE. There continues to be the threat of power outages during the heatwave, Leidos-led Hanford Mission Integrated Solutions said.
Portland-based Bonneville Power Administration and the Spokane-based Avista electric company urge conservation during the scorching heat with Bonneville noting in a June 25 press release that Energy Northwest’s Columbia nuclear plant, adjacent to Hanford, recently returned to service following a refueling outage.
Hanford workers are given annual training to identify symptoms of heat stress, a DOE spokesperson at the site said Wednesday via email. Hanford also uses cooling stations throughout the site that employ fans and misting equipment.
During the heatwave, DOE and the contractor at Hanford can tweak schedules to allow earlier start times and implement work-rest schedules for those working in the heat.
The afternoon high temperature was expected to reach 112 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday and an excessive heat warning continues in effect through Sunday July 4, according to the National Weather Service Forecast for the area. Daytime highs are not expected to drop below 100 until next week, according to the forecast.
