A wind-driven wildfire in North Texas has rapidly expanded to 50,000 acres overnight, prompting mandatory and voluntary evacuations across Palo Pinto and Jack counties, officials confirmed Tuesday. The Ross Fire, which ignited Monday afternoon near Fort Worth, was 5% contained as of early Tuesday, with authorities warning of continued rapid growth potential due to dry conditions and shifting winds.
Evacuations escalate as fire spreads
Evacuation orders were issued for multiple areas in Jack County, including residents along County Road 2210 toward Highway 281, where authorities urged immediate departure. An evacuation center was established at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center in Jacksboro. In Palo Pinto County, officials advised residents north of Fortune Bend Road to evacuate as a precaution, though this was not initially a mandatory order. U.S. Highway 180 remains closed between Sou—specific closure details were not provided in all sources.
Firefighting efforts and structural impacts
Texas A&M Forest Service spokesperson stated that crews were prioritizing life safety and structure protection, while working to establish containment lines where conditions allowed. The fire has damaged or destroyed three to four structures, with additional buildings at risk, including catastrophic damage reported at Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto County. No injuries or fatalities have been reported, and the Longhorn Council of Scouting America confirmed that no scouts, campers, or guests were present at the ranch when the fire arrived.
Schools disrupted and flight restrictions imposed
The wildfire has disrupted local education, with Jacksboro ISD delaying school start by two hours and Perrin CISD canceling classes for the day. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed temporary flight restrictions over the fire zone, citing safety concerns for aerial firefighting operations.
Cause under investigation amid broader wildfire crisis
The cause of the Ross Fire remains under investigation, with authorities cautioning that extremely dry conditions—described by Palo Pinto County officials as “so dry”—have contributed to its rapid spread. The blaze is part of a larger wave of wildfires across the western and southern U.S., with the National Interagency Fire Center reporting over 50,000 wildfires nationwide this year, the highest in a decade for this period. In Nevada, firefighters made progress battling a separate blaze near Reno that had destroyed or damaged more than 50 homes and prompted 42,000 evacuations.
Timeline and initial spread
The Ross Fire began near Ross in Palo Pinto County at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time Monday, initially estimated at 25 acres. By late Monday evening, it had grown to 18,000 acres, and by Tuesday morning, it had ballooned to 50,000 acres, with Texas A&M Forest Service describing the fire as having “large growth potential.” The blaze has burned across more than 78 square miles (200 square kilometers) in lightly populated areas of North Texas.
Containment challenges and ongoing risks
As of Tuesday, the fire was 5% to 8% contained, depending on the source, with officials noting that containment efforts are being hampered by high winds and dry vegetation. The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team, alongside Texas A&M Forest Service, has deployed dozers and aircraft to support firefighting operations. Authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant, warning that conditions could change rapidly and urging those in evacuation zones to leave immediately if they have not already done so.