The Ross fire, which started in Palo Pinto County, about one hour west of Fort Worth near Possum Kingdom Lake, has grown to 80,000 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
As of Wednesday afternoon the fire was 12% contained. It started Monday and spread quickly due to triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions. Local officials have yet to determine how many structures or homes have been damaged, but evacuation orders have been issued for the area.
DFW residents are experiencing hazy skies and smells of smoke as winds have pushed the smoke east.
According to AccuWeather, the air quality in Fort Worth is currently listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups, specifically those with a history of lung conditions. Even healthy individuals can experience difficulty breathing or throat irritation with prolonged outdoor activity, so individuals are encouraged to limit time outdoors whenever possible.
Map of expected smoke coverage in the area (National Weather Service)
This afternoon, TCU sent out a text message via TCU Alert saying, “Smoke in the area is from the Ross Fire in Jack and Palo Pinto counties. There is no active fire near campus. TCU is monitoring air quality and conditions. Please limit prolonged outdoor exposure if you are sensitive to smoke or have a respiratory condition.”
TCU 360 will continue to follow this story.
