Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster on Tuesday for 60 Texas counties due to rampant wildfire activity, with the Smokehouse Creek Fire ranking as the second-largest wildfire in Texas history, according to ABC News.

The declaration aims to facilitate the swift deployment of fire response resources to combat the devastating wildfires affecting the Texas Panhandle.

The Pantex Nuclear Weapons Plant in Amarillo has suspended operations and evacuated nonessential personnel as a precautionary measure against the advancing Texas wildfires.

An internal report from the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency assures that all special materials at the facility remain safe and unaffected.

Situated approximately 13 miles from the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County, the Pantex Nuclear Weapons Plant has taken precautions amid the escalating fire threat.

READ NEXT  : Texas Hotel Explosion

Unprecedented Blaze Engulfs Texas Panhandle

A cluster of wildfires, including the expansive Smoke House Creek Fire, has wreaked havoc across the Texas Panhandle, AP noted.

The Smoke House Creek Fire has grown to over 1,300 square miles, extending into parts of neighboring Oklahoma.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reports a mere 3% containment, making it larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Authorities are concerned about extensive damage to communities in the region.

As flames rapidly advanced, residents faced harrowing escapes, with one individual describing a moment when visibility became nonexistent.

While no deaths or injuries have been reported thus far, officials warn of potential substantial property losses.

In response to the unfolding crisis, the Canadian, Texas, school district canceled classes for the remainder of the week.

However, they have opened campuses to families in need, providing supervision, entertainment, and support for children dealing with the impact of the Texas wildfires, per NBC News.

Ongoing Weather Monitoring and Precautions

Weather experts closely monitor wind patterns and prescribed burns in the affected regions, Herald Tribune reports.

The Brevard County Emergency Operations Center announced a 100-acre prescribed burn south of US 192 at the Brevard-Osceola county line, emphasizing ongoing efforts to manage and control fire-related risks.

Meteorologists project a change in wind direction, minimizing the likelihood of smoke reaching eastern regions.

The devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle have prompted decisive action from authorities, with ongoing monitoring, evacuations, and community support efforts in place.

As the situation evolves, the state continues to address the challenges posed by the relentless wildfires, emphasizing the importance of community safety and preparedness.

Despite the vast scale of the Texas wildfires, meteorologists ensure that wind patterns are not conducive to carrying the smoke to Florida.

Wind directions are predicted to move the majority of the smoke westward into New Mexico or Mexico in the coming days.

The National Weather Service emphasizes that Florida is unlikely to be affected by the smoke, with prescribed burns and wind direction changes contributing to the favorable conditions in the region.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Fire emergency in Texas as wildfires scorch parts of the southern plains - From ABC News