Ross

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Ross Fire ignited on the afternoon of Monday, August 24, 2026, around 1:30 p.m., near U.S. Highway 180 and Ross Watson Road (FM 919) in Palo Pinto County, Texas, approximately 60 miles west of Fort Worth.
Size and Containment: As of Tuesday morning, August 25, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 50,000 acres and is 5% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially reported as a 25-acre fire, the blaze experienced explosive growth, expanding rapidly to 50,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties—at one point doubling in size in roughly an hour overnight. The fire is burning through grass, brush, and trees. The rapid spread has been driven by extreme heat, dry air, and sustained winds, with the Texas A&M Forest Service noting "extreme fire behavior" and "large growth potential."
Containment Efforts: A fifth alarm was called to combat the blaze. Unified command includes the Palo Pinto County Emergency Service District 1, a Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team, and the Texas A&M Forest Service. Firefighters are prioritizing life safety and structure protection. Aerial support is being heavily utilized, with planes dropping water and retardant after refilling at nearby reservoirs, while ground crews use dozers to construct containment lines.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for the southern region of Jack County, specifically in the vicinity of and to the east of Barton's Chapel. Residents are directed to evacuate immediately by traveling east on Highway 281. Residents in Jack County along County Road 2210 toward Highway 281 have also been instructed to evacuate.
Evacuation Warnings: Palo Pinto County residents residing north of Fortune Bend Road, extending up to Highway 16 North at FM 337, are strongly encouraged to evacuate as a precautionary measure.
Curfew: No curfews have been reported at this time.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: An evacuation center has been established at the Twin Lakes Community Activity Center, located at 1114 State Hwy. 59, Jacksboro, TX 76458. Additionally, the Graham Livestock Commission is offering its holding station at the Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn to anyone needing to shelter livestock.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• U.S. Highway 180 is closed to all traffic between South FM 4 and FM 919.
• FM 4 is also closed in the vicinity of the fire.
• A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft.
• School Closures: Jacksboro ISD delayed the start of school on Tuesday by two hours, while Perrin CISD canceled classes for the day.

For more information, visit:

• Texas A&M Forest Service Current Situation
• Palo Pinto County Emergency Management
• DriveTexas for Road Closures

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reports of injuries or fatalities at this time.
Structures Impacted: Damage to at least three or four structures has been reported, and more structures remain at risk. Firefighters are actively defending ranch land along FM 4, aiming to safeguard structures that include at least one residence and two barns.
School and Business Closures: The wildfire has forced Perrin CISD to cancel classes for the day and prompted Jacksboro ISD to delay the start of school.
Notable Impacts: The rapid growth has heavily impacted ranch lands and rural communities in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, threatening local agriculture and livestock.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No widespread power outages directly linked to the fire have been reported at this time.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Palo Pinto County and the surrounding regions are under high wildfire risk. Residents must adhere to all local burn bans and fire restrictions, as any outdoor spark can quickly ignite new fires.
Air Quality: Heavy smoke from the fire may pose health risks, particularly for those with respiratory conditions. Residents are advised to stay indoors and monitor air quality updates.
Health Risks: Extreme heat is posing a significant risk to both residents and first responders. Firefighters are having to take turns rotating in and out of the frontline to cool off from the extreme temperatures.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Containment is currently at 5%. Firefighters are focusing heavily on life safety, structure protection, and establishing containment lines where conditions safely allow. Containment efforts are expected to remain challenging due to the heavy, dry fuels and extreme fire behavior.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Persistent high winds blowing steadily to the northeast, along with dry conditions and extreme heat, are exacerbating the situation. Gusty winds combined with critically dry vegetation are creating elevated wildfire conditions across parts of North Texas.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Ross Fire is currently under investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme weather and climate conditions are playing a major role in this fire. North Texas has gone more than a month without measurable rainfall, leaving fine surface fuels critically to extremely dry. This prolonged dry spell, combined with extreme heat and gusty winds, created the perfect environment for explosive fire growth, making vegetation easier to ignite and allowing the fire to spread quickly.

For more information, visit:

• Texas A&M Forest Service Current Situation
• Palo Pinto County Emergency Management
• DriveTexas for Road Closures