Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory Remains Closed As Wildfires Threaten Facility

Los Alamos Fire: EPA Testing for Radiation -- ABC News

The wildfire that surrounds the nuclear lab in Los Alamos, New Mexico, has grown to at least 61,000 acres amid mounting concerns about what might be in the smoke that's visible from space.

Such fear has prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to bring in air monitors, along with a special airplane that checks for radiation levels. So far officials have not been able to find anything.

"Our facilities and nuclear material are protected and safe," Laboratory Director Dr. Charles McMillan told ABC News.

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More News On The Los Alamos Fire

Los Alamos nuclear laboratory under siege from raging wildfire -- The Telegraph
Los Alamos nuclear laboratory threatened by wildfire -- The Guardian
Towns near NM fire, nuclear lab wary of smoke -- USA Today
Scientists monitor air as fire burns near NM lab -- Forbes/AP
Fire chief says Los Alamos lab is safe from wildfire -- CNN
Los Alamos nuclear lab to remain closed as New Mexico wildfire nears -- Washington Post
Los Alamos wildfire reaches lab, forces evacuation -- CNET
Mandatory evacuation ordered as blaze threatens Los Alamos -- MSNBC

Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab Closes As Uncontrolled Forest Fire Nears

Scene: Los Alamos National Laboratory, the largest science and technology institute in the world, where wildfires forced officials to close it down on Monday. Daily Mail

Wildfire Threatens Los Alamos National Lab -- CNN

(CNN) -- The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed Monday as fire crews battle a wildfire raging nearby, a statement on the facility's website said.

"All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site," the statement said. "Employees are considered nonessential and should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers."

The Los Conchas fire, which flared up Sunday afternoon, was reported to be less than a mile from the lab's southwestern boundaries late Sunday, another statement from the facility said.

Special crews have been dispatched to Water Canyon near the lab to protect the facility, according to the statement.

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More News On Los Alamos Shut Down Due To Wildfires

U.S. Nuclear Facilities Threatened by Flood and Fire -- The Atlantic
Wildfires threaten Los Alamos as laboratory containing world's most advanced supercomputers is forced to closed -- The Daily Mail
Wildfire Shuts Down Los Alamos Lab -- IBTimes
Wildfire prompts closure of Los Alamos lab -- UPI
New Mexico wildfires force evacuation at Los Alamos nuclear labratory -- New York Daily News
Los Alamos Lab closes as uncontrolled forest fire nears -- Government Executive