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Several fire trucks and brush trucks head towards the Ross fire, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Graford, Texas.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
A\u00a0fast-moving\u00a0wildfire<\/a> has scorched more than 50,000 acres in Texas, damaging several structures and forcing evacuations\u00a0west of Fort Worth.<\/p>\n The Ross Fire tore through Palo Pinto County on Monday before jumping into neighboring Jack County, with flames fueled by high temperatures and bone-dry conditions. As of Tuesday morning, the fire was 8% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.<\/p>\n “We’ve thrown everything at this, and we’re still having minimal effect,” Danny Watkins, Palo Pinto\u00a0County’s emergency services district, said at a news conference Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: How to prepare for North Texas wildfires<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s what we know about the fire.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Tracking the\u00a0Ross Fire’s spread<\/p>\n The Ross Fire began just before 1:30 p.m. Monday west of the town of Palo Pinto near Highway 180 and Bell and Watson roads. Palo Pinto is about 60 miles west of Fort Worth.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Initially covering about 25 acres, the Texas A&M Forest Service warned Monday evening the fire has “large growth potential.” Overnight, the fire pushed north into Jack County and forced the closure of part of U.S. Highway 180.<\/p>\n “This fire is a monster,” Palo Pinto emergency services district said overnight on\u00a0social media.<\/p>\n Authorities warned residents in the nearby town of Graford to remain on alert.\u00a0<\/p>\n At least five structures have been destroyed, but details were not yet available Tuesday. No deaths have been reported.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: Palo Pinto County wildfire grows to 50,000 acres, as evacuations ordered in Jack County<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Smoke from the Ross Fire forms a mushroom over Palo Pinto.<\/p>\n KXAS-TV (NBC5)<\/p>\n Evacuations<\/p>\n Palo Pinto County authorities urged residents around Fortune Bend Road, extending north to Highway 16 North at FM 337 to evacuate. Residents in southern Jack County, particularly those who live near Barton’s Chapel, were ordered to evacuate.<\/p>\n “Residents in these areas are asked to evacuate due to a rapidly spreading wildfire,” Jack County Emergency Management said online. “Do not drive into smoke.”<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: Texas wildfires: What to pack in your \u2018go kit\u2019 to prepare for evacuation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n An evacuation center is open at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center on Texas Highway 59 in\u00a0Jacksboro.<\/p>\n The Federal Aviation Administration<\/a> has a temporary flight restriction over the fire as aircraft are deployed to assist in firefighting.\u00a0<\/p>\n Classes were canceled for Graford ISD and Perrin-Whitt CISD.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why is the Ross Fire spreading so fast?<\/p>\n The initial cause of the fire is not yet known, but dangerous conditions \u2014 extreme heat, parched land and wind \u2014 provided the ingredients for its lighting-fast spread.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Fire risk grows when humidity drops below 20%, said David\u00a0Bonnette, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. On Monday, when the fire began, the humidity around Palo Pinto lingered around 12 to 15%. Tuesday is expected to slightly improve, with the humidity growing to 15 to 18%.<\/p>\n “It doesn\u2019t take much of anything for a spark to develop in\u00a0these conditions,” Bonnette said, adding that just\u00a0driving a car over dry grass or dragging tow chains can ignite a spark.<\/p>\n Smaller fires<\/p>\n Smaller fires were also burning in other parts of Texas. In Wise County, off FM 51, the Pecan Fire burned across nearly 60 acres and was 40% contained, the Forest Service reported. Another smaller fire in Parker County, south of Weatherford, was almost fully contained.\u00a0<\/p>\n How to donate<\/p>\n Palo Pinto Emergency Service District<\/a> asks that any donations be made online at buy.stripe.com\/6oU28sf3r5FIfR31TQdjO00<\/a>. Funds will help support repairs to trucks and assets damaged while fighting the fire.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Residents can donate bottled water and sports drinks at Clear Fork Bank, 1031\u00a0E. Hubbard St., in Mineral Wells. Large donations of bottled water can also be delivered to Dempsey Airport, 1348 W. U.S. Highway 180.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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