Ross Fire explodes to at least 85,000 acres in North Texas, leaving destruction across 2 counties
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Ross Fire Explodes Past 85,000 Acres in North Texas
Wertynews.com – The Ross Fire explodes to at least 85,000 acres of scorched terrain spanning Palo Pinto and Jack counties, cementing its place as the second-largest wildfire in North Texas history. What started as a modest ignition near the town of Ross on Monday afternoon has ballooned into a multi-county emergency, triggering mandatory evacuations, scrambling school schedules across several districts, and forcing a major Fort Worth brewery to pause production lines as a smoke precaution.
By Sunday afternoon, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported roughly 26 percent containment along the fire’s perimeter. Officials cautioned that the blaze remains active and that prevailing conditions in the region continue to favor rapid lateral spread along stretches of U.S. Highway 180 and Farm Road 919.
How a 25-Acre Spark Became a Regional Crisis
The Palo Pinto County Emergency Service District received the initial call just before 1:30 p.m. Monday, estimating the footprint at only 25 acres. Within hours, gusty winds and weeks of near-zero rainfall had dried surface fuels to a point where the fire leapt into the thousands of acres. By the time ground crews gained meaningful traction, flames had already crossed the county line into Jack County.
Four to five structures sustained confirmed damage, with additional buildings still threatened as the fire front shifts. The Longhorn Council of Scouting America confirmed catastrophic damage to numerous buildings at Worth Ranch, a large scouting property in Palo Pinto County. No scouts, campers, or guests were on site when the flames arrived, and camp ranger Pat Adams was evacuated safely before the fire reached the area.
Evacuations, School Closures, and the Road Home
Tuesday brought mandatory evacuation orders for residents along County Road 2210 heading toward Highway 281 in Jack County. Those orders were lifted Wednesday morning once conditions stabilized, though Jack County Emergency Management urged returning residents to stay alert, noting the fire was still actively burning in neighboring Palo Pinto County.
Local school districts felt the disruption throughout the week. Jacksboro ISD delayed its Tuesday start by two hours before resuming normal operations Wednesday. Perrin CISD canceled Tuesday classes entirely and pushed Wednesday’s start to 10 a.m. On Wednesday, Jack County Emergency Management directed both Bryson ISD and Graford ISD to cancel classes for the day.
Animals Find Temporary Shelter
The Graham Livestock Commission announced Monday that the Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn at 2805 North Oak Avenue would accept displaced livestock on a temporary basis until owners could arrange alternative housing. Separately, the Humane Society of North Texas coordinated with the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter to clear existing residents so pets fleeing the fire zone could be accommodated; twelve dogs and 26 cats were expected to arrive at the organization’s Fort Worth shelter on Wednesday.
Business, Transportation, and Airspace Impacts
A Molson Coors spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that the company had temporarily paused certain canning lines at its Fort Worth facility as a precaution against smoke infiltration, adding that consumers would see no impact on product availability. U.S. Highway 180, closed to all traffic between South FM 4 and FM 919 on Tuesday, reopened once conditions allowed. A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the fire area to keep civilian aircraft clear of aerial firefighting operations.
The National Weather Service is tracking multiple wildfires west of Interstate 35, with the Ross Fire ranking among the largest. The common thread is a weather pattern that has left the region without measurable rainfall for more than a month. Fine surface fuels—grasses, leaf litter, and low brush—have dried to a state the service classifies as critically to extremely dry, meaning even a small spark can ignite vegetation that then feeds a rapidly advancing flame front. Residents across the affected counties are advised to avoid mowing, welding, and open flames until conditions improve.
FAQ: What You Need to Know About the Ross Fire
How large is the Ross Fire now?
The Ross Fire explodes to at least 85,000 acres as of the latest reporting, making it the second-largest wildfire recorded in North Texas. Crews had contained roughly 26 percent of the perimeter by Sunday afternoon.
Are evacuations still in effect?
Mandatory evacuation orders for residents along County Road 2210 in Jack County were lifted Wednesday morning. Officials advise returning residents to remain alert because the fire is still actively burning in adjacent Palo Pinto County.
Where can displaced pets or livestock go?
The Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn (2805 North Oak Avenue) is accepting displaced livestock temporarily through the Graham Livestock Commission. The Humane Society of North Texas is accommodating displaced dogs and cats at its Fort Worth shelter.
Is the fire expected to keep spreading?
Officials say conditions remain favorable for spread. Gusty winds and critically dry fuels mean the fire front can move laterally faster than ground crews can build containment lines. A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place over the area.
