Forest Fires Threaten Nuclear Installation in Texas
Amid an increasingly concerning situation, the rapidly spreading forest fires in the state of Texas have caused chaos and panic among its residents.
On Tuesday, authorities were forced to issue evacuation orders in various small towns and to close one of the country’s most important nuclear facilities due to the imminent threat of the flames.
Governor Greg Abbott wasted no time in declaring a state of disaster for a total of 60 counties. The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that the largest fire had already consumed nearly 1,000 square kilometers (approximately 400 square miles), more than double its initial size since it started burning last Monday.
So far, authorities have been unable to determine the causes behind the start of this disastrous fire that has ravaged sparsely populated counties in the midst of vast plains.
“We urge Texans to limit any activities that could spark and take extra precautions to ensure the safety of their loved ones,” urged Abbott, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
The largest fire, known as the “Smokehouse Creek Fire,” has led to the closure of major communication routes and has not yet been completely contained, according to reports from the AP.
Keeping the response team on high alert, according to the Forest Service. However, the most shocking news came with the closure of the main nuclear assembly and disassembly facility in the United States, Pantex.
Situated just 30 miles east of Amarillo, Texas, Pantex was forced to suspend all operations immediately due to the nearby forest fires. In an official online statement, Pantex announced the indefinite halt of its activities:
“The fire near Pantex has not been contained, and response efforts have evolved into evacuations. A small number of non-essential personnel are sheltering in place.”
Since its establishment in 1975, Pantex has been the epicenter of assembling and disassembling American atomic bombs, playing a crucial role in the nuclear security of the country. Over the years, it has dismantled thousands of nuclear weapons, being a fundamental pillar in nuclear non-proliferation policy.
The closure of Pantex due to the forest fires represents an unprecedented situation in the history of this facility, which has faced numerous challenges over the decades.
