Pantex nuclear weapons facility pauses operations as wildfires spread

[DEFCON Warning System]

Rapidly moving Texas wildfires Tuesday prompted evacuation orders in small towns and shut down a nuclear facility as strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm temperatures fueled the blaze in the state’s rural Panhandle.

The main facility that assembles and disassembles America’s nuclear arsenal shut down its operations Tuesday night in Texas as fires raged out of control near its facility. 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 shifted to evacuations. There is a small number of non-essential personnel sheltered on-site.”

Since 1975, Pantex has been the U.S. main assembly and disassembly site for its atomic bombs. It assembled the last new bomb in 1991. In the time since, it has dismantled thousands of weapons.

Pantex is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Amarillo.

Rapidly expanding wildfires in the Texas Panhandle prompt evacuations

Rapidly expanding Texas wildfires fueled by surging winds have prompted safety and evacuation warnings for several towns in the state's rural Panhandle.

apnews.com

 

[NuclearID]

 

[Irag8er]

The Pantex Plant is open for normal day shift operations for Wednesday, February 28; all personnel are to report for duty according to their assigned schedule.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1762741471545794576

 

[Irag8er]

Operations at the Pantex Plant returned to normal Wednesday, February 28, following non-essential personnel dismissals and shift cancellations February 27 due to wildfires north of the plant site.
There is no imminent wildfire threat to the plant at this time.

Thanks to the responsive actions of all Pantexans and the NNSA Production Office in cooperation with the women and men of the Pantex Fire Department and our mutual aid partners from neighboring communities, the fire did not reach or breach the plant’s boundary.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1762956393340973308