A fast-moving wildfire west of Fort Worth doubled in size in 3 hours, scorching 50,000 acres and forcing residents in parts of Palo Pinto and Jack Counties to evacuate.
The Ross Fire was 5% contained Tuesday morning, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The blaze started shortly after 12:25 p.m. CDT Monday near U.S. Highway 180 and Ross Watson Road, west of Palo Pinto. Within an hour of firefighters arriving, it had grown into a five-alarm fire, Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District 1 Fire Chief Danny Watkins said.
Flames from the Ross Fire burn west of Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday. Photo courtesy of Texas Division of Emergency Management
More than 100 firefighters were battling the flames Monday as aircraft dropped water and fire retardant over the area. Officials warned that the fire had significant potential to continue spreading. The fire jumped from 25,000 to 50,000 acres in about three hours, according to Texas A&M updates.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered in southern Jack County, including areas near and east of Bartons Chapel. FM 4 was closed, and people in nearby areas were instructed to evacuate east along County Road 2210 toward U.S. Highway 281.
An evacuation center was opened at the Twin Lakes Activity Center on State Highway 59 in Jacksboro.
In Palo Pinto County, residents north of Fortune Bend Road to State Highway 16 North at FM 337 were strongly advised to evacuate Monday night. The Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office said the recommendation was precautionary and not a mandatory order, but urged people who need additional time or assistance to leave immediately.
The fire also forced officials to close a portion of U.S. 180 near its point of origin Monday.
Record heat fuels fire growth
The fire grew rapidly amid record heat Monday. Dallas-Fort Worth reached 109 degrees, breaking the Aug. 24 record of 107 set in 2023, while the day’s low of 86 tied the area’s all-time warmest minimum temperature for the ninth time.
AccuWeather is forecasting a high of 109 degrees in Palo Pinto on Tuesday, with sizzling sunshine and little chance of rain. Temperatures are forecast to reach around 100 Wednesday, when a stray afternoon thunderstorm may develop.
No injuries or structure losses had been confirmed as of Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.