Swift-moving wildfires in Texas on Tuesday led to evacuation orders in various small towns and the shutdown of a critical nuclear facility due to strong winds, dry conditions, and unusually high temperatures, exacerbating the fires across the rural Panhandle area.
Pantex, the primary site for the assembly and disassembly of the US nuclear arsenal, announced the cessation of its operations on Tuesday evening amidst the nearby uncontrollable fire outbreaks.The facility confirmed the suspension of activities indefinitely through an online statement.
In response to the escalating fire crisis, Republican Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 60 counties as the principal fire expanded to nearly 400 square miles, doubling in size from Monday. The origins of the fire, which has devastated large areas of thinly populated counties, remain unidentified.
Governor Abbott has called on Texans to minimize spark-generating activities and to take preventive measures for their safety.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, the most significant of the blazes, has led to highway closures and was reported to be 0% contained as of Tuesday, according to the Forest Service reports.
Laef Pendergraft, speaking on behalf of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Production Office at Pantex, mentioned in a Tuesday news conference that while non-essential personnel had been evacuated, the site’s proficient fire department remains on alert, prepared for any potential emergencies.
Established in 1975, Pantex has served as the central facility for the assembly and dismantling of U.S. nuclear weapons, with its last bomb assembled in 1991 and many dismantled since then. The facility is situated near Amarillo, significantly north of Dallas.
Evacuation orders were also executed in Hemphill and Hutchinson counties, close to the Oklahoma border, affecting various towns including Canadian, Miami, Skellytown, Wheeler, Allison, and Briscoe.
In Pampa, located southwest of Canadian, city officials advised residents to evacuate southwards, with transportation provided. Despite ongoing firefighting efforts, Pampa residents were later allowed to return.
The city of Fritch in Hutchinson County issued evacuation directives following another fire that crossed a major highway.
Emergency management teams in Hutchinson County and Borger reported on Facebook about the ongoing evacuation efforts and the community challenges posed by the multiple fires.
By Tuesday evening, the fires had approached within 20 to 25 miles of Amarillo, with smoke from the wildfires potentially impacting residents with respiratory problems.
Additionally, red flag warnings and fire danger alerts were issued across several states in the central U.S., with conditions deemed highly susceptible to wildfires due to the combination of high winds, warm temperatures, and dry conditions.
In central Nebraska, a fire ignited by a mower has consumed an extensive area of grassland, comparable in size to Omaha, as reported by state officials on Tuesday.
(With inputs from agencies)
Pantex, the primary site for the assembly and disassembly of the US nuclear arsenal, announced the cessation of its operations on Tuesday evening amidst the nearby uncontrollable fire outbreaks.The facility confirmed the suspension of activities indefinitely through an online statement.
In response to the escalating fire crisis, Republican Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 60 counties as the principal fire expanded to nearly 400 square miles, doubling in size from Monday. The origins of the fire, which has devastated large areas of thinly populated counties, remain unidentified.
Governor Abbott has called on Texans to minimize spark-generating activities and to take preventive measures for their safety.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, the most significant of the blazes, has led to highway closures and was reported to be 0% contained as of Tuesday, according to the Forest Service reports.
Laef Pendergraft, speaking on behalf of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Production Office at Pantex, mentioned in a Tuesday news conference that while non-essential personnel had been evacuated, the site’s proficient fire department remains on alert, prepared for any potential emergencies.
Established in 1975, Pantex has served as the central facility for the assembly and dismantling of U.S. nuclear weapons, with its last bomb assembled in 1991 and many dismantled since then. The facility is situated near Amarillo, significantly north of Dallas.
Evacuation orders were also executed in Hemphill and Hutchinson counties, close to the Oklahoma border, affecting various towns including Canadian, Miami, Skellytown, Wheeler, Allison, and Briscoe.
In Pampa, located southwest of Canadian, city officials advised residents to evacuate southwards, with transportation provided. Despite ongoing firefighting efforts, Pampa residents were later allowed to return.
The city of Fritch in Hutchinson County issued evacuation directives following another fire that crossed a major highway.
Emergency management teams in Hutchinson County and Borger reported on Facebook about the ongoing evacuation efforts and the community challenges posed by the multiple fires.
By Tuesday evening, the fires had approached within 20 to 25 miles of Amarillo, with smoke from the wildfires potentially impacting residents with respiratory problems.
Additionally, red flag warnings and fire danger alerts were issued across several states in the central U.S., with conditions deemed highly susceptible to wildfires due to the combination of high winds, warm temperatures, and dry conditions.
In central Nebraska, a fire ignited by a mower has consumed an extensive area of grassland, comparable in size to Omaha, as reported by state officials on Tuesday.
(With inputs from agencies)