Base in Utah on lockdown

Utah military facility, which is testing chemical and biological weapons were grounded "to solve a serious problem," and the authorities are trying to re-base, officials said Thursday.

U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground has been blocked from 07:25 pm ET on Wednesday, a spokesman said. All staff have basic working and evacuation was necessary, he said.

From about 6:15 Thursday morning, "We have allowed people outside the door into Dugway ... and make preparations to begin to let staff go home soon," said Paula Thomas, a spokesman for the test site.

Dugway Commander Colonel William E. King IV, said earlier the authorities were "working as quickly and as accurately as possible to resolve a serious concern for the test area, but did not elaborate.

"As you are aware of how these measures (Lockdown our ports) are not taken lightly. No one is in immediate danger, but these actions are necessary."

The Proving Ground covers 798,214 hectares and is located in the Great Salt Lake Desert, approximately 85 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.

"Testers here determine the reliability and survival of all types of military equipment in a chemical or biological," according to Dugway.