Smoke Seen Rising from Idaho National Laboratory, Cause Unknown

IDAHO FALLS, ID, Sept. 21, 2023 – Reports have emerged of white smoke rising from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a facility dedicated to advanced nuclear energy research. The smoke was observed above the desert area where the laboratory is situated. As of now, the cause of the smoke is unknown, and there have been no reports of unusual activity at the 890-square-mile site.

The INL is located approximately 45 miles west of Idaho Falls, near the town of Arco. Operated by the Department of Energy, the INL is one of 17 national labs focused on areas such as nuclear research, renewable energy, and security solutions. Since its inception, the facility has seen the construction of 52 nuclear reactors. The situation is currently under investigation.