:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/6RBLES74WRAPPGWIYDKNNGY4S4.jpg "Wildfires in Texas prompt closure of nuclear facility")
CANADIAN, Texas (AP) — Fast-moving wildfires across Texas led to evacuation orders in small towns and the shutdown of a nuclear facility Tuesday, as high winds, dry grass and temperatures Unusually warm temperatures were fueling the flames in the state’s northern tip.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties as the largest fire burned nearly 1,000 square kilometers (nearly 400 square miles), according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. That’s more than double its size since the fire broke out on Monday. Authorities have not said what might have caused the fire, which devastated sparsely populated counties surrounded by plains.
“Texans are urged to limit activities that can generate sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe,” Abbott said.
The largest fire, known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire, prompted road closures and remained 0% contained as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Forest Service.
The main facility that assembles and dismantles the United States nuclear arsenal closed operations Tuesday night in Texas due to uncontrolled fires near its facilities. Pantex issued a statement online saying it had paused operations until further notice.
“The fire near Pantex is not contained,” the company said. “Response efforts have changed to evacuations. “There are a small number of non-essential personnel sheltering in place.”
Since 1975, Pantex has been the main atomic bomb assembly and disassembly center in the United States. It assembled the last new bomb in 1991. Since then, it has dismantled thousands of weapons.
Pantex is located 48 kilometers (30 mi) east of Amarillo.