VIDEO: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration Tuesday due to widespread wildfires in the Panhandle amid hot and dry conditions. Dry vegetation and high winds were fueling the rapid growth of blazes. Abbott's declaration includes 60 counties. Pantex, the main facility that assembles and disassembles America's nuclear arsenal, shut down its operations Tuesday night because of nearby wildfires. But the plant's operators said overnight on X, the former Twitter, that it is "open for normal day shift operations for Wednesday, February 28; all personnel are to report for duty according to their assigned schedule." The plant is located some 30 miles east of Amarillo. When it paused its operations, the company wrote in a social media post that, "All weapons and special materials are safe and unaffected."  

Travis County Emergency Services District 1 firefighters are headed to the Texas panhandle to assist in fighting several large blazes burning more than 275,000 acres. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the blaze has closed down major highways, and several counties have been evacuated. TCESD1 is joining the Killeen Fire Department, Kyle Fire Department/Hays County ESD No. 5, Pflugerville Fire Departments/Travis County ESD #2, Temple Fire and Rescue and Moffett Fire Department to serve on what TCESD1 called an Engine Strike Team, the agency said on social media. FMO Zach Harrell and Driver Dylan Fischer will deploy for up to 21 days, the agency said. NWS said the fires were about 20-25 miles north of Amarillo.  

VIDEO: Several families living at a southwest Houston apartment complex are without a home after a fire started Tuesday morning. Houston Fire Department officials said at about 7:30 a.m., they got the initial call about the incident happening at the Sterling Point apartments on Dunlap Street near Bellaire Boulevard in Sharpstown. Authorities said no one was seriously hurt in the fire, and only a civilian and a firefighter had minor injuries. One of them reportedly suffered from heat exhaustion. HFD District Chief Jay Garcia said more than a dozen apartments were affected. ABC13 spoke with some residents who said the fire occurred on the other side of the complex from where they were. "I was asleep, and it's about the time I wake up, and I was smelling smoke, so I am looking around," DaMarvia Miller said.  

Firefighters have been working to put out a "fully-involved" structure fire at an old plant in Polk County that went up in flames Tuesday afternoon. The City of Cedartown said in a social media post that the fire engulfed the old Jockey plant on West Avenue. They asked that residents avoid the area and find other ways to travel. Drone video on social media shows the old plant up in flames as fire engines were in a large field behind it, shooting water onto the fire. Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said that at about 5 p.m., they received a call that flames and smoke were coming from the building. Both the police department and fire department responded and discovered the fire. Newsome said the fire department has been fighting the fire for hours, and it has been a multi-jurisdictional effort.  

VIDEO: First responders in Jeffersontown are celebrating the grand opening of their brand-new fire and EMS Station. The ribbon cutting for Station 54 happened Monday morning at the new firehouse on Taylorsville Road, near the Gene Snyder. The project has been in the works for about five years. The firehouse will be staffed around the clock. Crews can enjoy new dorms, a gym, offices and other amenities. This fire station will cover parts of the Parklands, so they've got water rescue equipment and ATVs on standby just in case of emergency. "Believe it or not, they actually happen quite often when the park actually becomes busy this spring," J-town Fire Chief Sean Dreisbach said. "One good day is all it takes. A 70-degree day today, we'll probably make a run out to the park, and somebody'll fall off a bike or something like that."  

VIDEO; For those looking for a trip to the city, or Philadelphians planning a day in their community, the Fireman's Hall Museum promotes fun and fire safety! "There's been a lot of sacrifice to make this experience great for all ages...To learn where we came from to where we are today in fire safety," said Firefighter and Curator Brian Anderson. Guests can learn about Philadelphia's extensive history of fighting fires dating back to Benjamin Franklin. The museum also honors fallen heroes who have lost their lives fulfilling their duties. "The history lives on. 305 members have died in the line of duty from the start of 1871 to current...keep the memorial alive for all those members who died in the line of duty, and we keep promoting and keep educating the particular tools that are used to make your home fire-safe," said Anderson.