Flames from the Ross fire illuminate the smoke as the sun sets, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, near Palo Pinto, Texas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
A wildfire is roaring across Texas, burning structures at a Boy Scout camp and prompting evacuations across a rural swath of the state.
The Ross fire has so far torched roughly 80,000 acres west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto and Jack counties. As of Wednesday morning, the fire is 12% contained, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
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Where is the Ross fire in Palo Pinto and Jack counties?
The Ross fire is about 60 miles west of Fort Worth in two sparsely populated counties, Palo Pinto and Jack. Several other smaller fires are burning around Texas. The Dallas Morning News is live-tracking the location, containment status and size of wildfires on an interactive map. The map reflects wildfires tracked by the Texas A&M Forest Service and is set to update multiple times per day.
How did the Ross fire start?
The blaze began as a grass fire west of Palo Pinto near Highway 180. Authorities have not determined what sparked the fire, but they do know what caused the fire to explode in size. A dangerous mix of conditions — extreme heat, parched land and wind — provided the ingredients for its lightning-fast spread. Even driving a car over dry grass or dragging tow chains can ignite a spark some days.
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Related: Palo Pinto’s Ross fire burns 80,000 acres as containment reaches 12%, officials say
Flames and smoke from the Ross Fire are seen on a ridge, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, near Palo Pinto, Texas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Who is evacuating?
Roughly 630 homes were evacuated early Tuesday morning, according to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, which did not provide a breakdown by county. 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. The Twin Lakes Community Center at 1114 Texas Highway 59 in Jacksboro is designated as a shelter.
Is there smoke in Dallas-Fort Worth? How’s the air quality?
Smoke pushed into Fort Worth and Arlington on Wednesday afternoon, bringing hazy skies and a heavy stench. Fort Worth ISD canceled all after-school outdoor activities and practices At least two elementary schools — Waverly Park and Western Hills — canceled outdoor recess.
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Arlington police said it has received several 911 calls reporting the smoke. The National Weather Service shows the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, which include children and older people, those with asthma and other lung diseases, and people active outdoors for more than six hours a day.
Fire from the Ross fire burns brush, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, near Palo Pinto, Texas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
How long is the Ross fire expected to burn?
Authorities say they expect to fight the blaze for several more days. Boe Adler, operations chief for Texas A&M Forest Service, said the fire is expected to move westward Wednesday toward Possum Kingdom Lake. Adler said firefighters expect “active fire growth” on Wednesday, and aerial and on-the-ground operations will continue.
Related: Beloved Texas Boy Scout camp gutted by Palo Pinto wildfire
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How bad is the damage?
Officials have said the fire destroyed at least five structures, but a complete damage assessment is pending. Worth Ranch, a century-old Boy Scout camp in Palo Pinto, suffered catastrophic losses. Its dining hall, a meeting hall and several cabins were destroyed or severely damaged. Photographs of the camp show charred buildings, collapsed roofs and piles of rubble. Longhorn Council staff, which operates the camp, has not been able to conduct an on-site inspection yet.
The Ross fire destroyed numerous buildings at Worth Ranch, a longtime popular Boy Scout camp in Palo Pinto.
Longhorn Council
What happens to displaced pets?
North Texas animal shelters cleared the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter to make room for pets displaced by the fire. The SPCA of Dallas took in 11 dogs from Mineral Wells, and the Humane Society of North Texas took 12 dogs and 26 cats.
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The Mineral Wells Animal Shelter said it is prepared for an influx of animals. “We know this is a scary and uncertain time for many of our neighbors, and we want you to know that you are not alone,” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “We are doing everything we can to be prepared to help the animals and families affected by this fire.”
Dallas-Fort Worth animal shelters took in animals this week from the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter to make room for pets displaced by the fire. These two dogs will be at the Humane Society of North Texas.
Humane Society of North Texas
How to donate
Texans have multiple ways to help those in need. Palo Pinto Emergency Service District asks that any donations be made online at buy.stripe.com/6oU28sf3r5FIfR31TQdjO00. Funds will help support repairs to trucks and assets damaged while fighting the fire. The United Way of Palo Pinto County is helping people who lost their homes. The nonprofit posted on social media, asking for financial support and water donations to Clearfork Bank in Mineral Wells.
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Related: Ross fire in North Texas rages on. Here’s where to donate and how to help