June 27, 2011 9:23 AM EDT
A wildfire blazing across New Mexico has shut down the Los Alamos National Laboratory, as flames came within a mile of the famed nuclear research facility.
As of last night the Los Conchas fire had consumed between 4,000-6,000 acres across the state, forcing people to evacuate their homes and leading officials to evacuate Los Alamos' emergency facilities.
"All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site," a statement on the laboratory's website said. "Employees are considered nonessential and should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers."
Los Alamos is one of the leading scientific research facilities in the country and was the site of the Manhattan Project, which developed the first nuclear bomb. It continues to do research on nuclear weapons, and officials emphasized that they were taking precautions to safeguard nuclear material stored at the lab.
"Emergency crews have been dispatched across the lab to protect key facilities and materials," spokesman Jeff Berger said. "Protected areas include all hazardous and radioactive facilities and our proton accelerator and super-computing centers."
Follow us
To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail:
To contact the editor, e-mail:
Explicit Image Of S.E. Cupp Reportedly Published In Hustler Magazine
Lauren Odes, NJ Woman, Fired From Lingerie Store Native Intimates For Being Too Busty [PHOTOS]
University of Texas Apologizes for ‘Pubic Affairs’ Typo In 2012 Commencement Program [PHOTO]
Grieving Pit Bull Stays With Dead Mate For 14 Hours, Awaits Adoption
Noisy Kid Hit At Movie Theater In Washington State While Watching ‘Titanic’We value your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.
