US nuclear weapons plant resumes operations amid wildfire threat

A nuclear weapons plant situated in the state of Texas declared its intent to resume operations as usual on Wednesday, subsequent to rampant wildfires prompting a temporary halt and necessitating evacuations within the vicinity.

The conflagrations, numbering five, remained uncontained early Wednesday in proximity to the northern metropolis of Amarillo, with the largest inferno, termed the Smokehouse Creek Fire, engulfing an expanse of 300,000 acres, as reported by the Texas A&M Forest Service.

According to observations derived from satellite imagery, the fires exhibited a southward progression near Amarillo, propelled by vigorous winds and anomalous warm temperatures, as detailed by the local branch of the National Weather Service. Despite the perilous circumstances, operators of the Pantex Plant, located approximately 21 miles (34 kilometers) from Amarillo, announced the resumption of normal day shift operations for Wednesday, February 28, emphasizing the mandatory attendance of all personnel in accordance with their designated schedules.

The Pantex facility, renowned for its role in the assembly, disassembly, and testing of the United States’ nuclear arsenal, alongside the production of high explosives, had initially suspended operations and fortified its perimeters with fire barriers to safeguard its installations. Furthermore, it disclosed that solely essential staff members remained on-site overnight. Asserting the safety of all weapons and special materials, the plant assured the public that operations had been halted until further notice, as conveyed in a statement released on Tuesday evening.

Despite progress in containing 25 out of 31 active fires across Texas, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties on Tuesday, facilitating the mobilization of fire response resources. Urging cautionary measures to prevent spark-induced incidents, Abbott implored Texans to prioritize safety measures for their families. Meanwhile, Amarillo’s weather service cautioned residents to remain indoors due to the persistent poor air quality exacerbated by the southward drift of smoke emanating from the wildfires.

Amid the escalating crisis, numerous towns, some situated up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Amarillo, enforced evacuation mandates, leading to road closures and directing citizens to seek refuge either at home or in public shelters. Reports emerged of substantial structural damage inflicted by fires in Texas’s Hutchinson County, with over 200 individuals seeking shelter at a church in Fritch, 35 miles from Amarillo, following the destruction of their residences. Describing the emotional toll, church pastor Dwight Kirksey conveyed the profound devastation experienced by those affected.

Additionally, accounts from evacuees, such as motel manager Melanie McQuiddy, depicted scenes reminiscent of apocalypse as flames encroached on their communities, leaving thousands without power in the wake of the calamity, as per data from the US outage tracker PowerOutage.