The response to the Ross fire continued into Thursday after the blaze burned an estimated 80,000 acres over the past few days across Palo Pinto and Jack counties, destroying structures and devastating a historic Scout camp.
The fire remained 12% contained as of 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to Texas A&M Forest Service’s incident map. Its estimated size increased by 30,000 acres overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday before remaining unchanged throughout the day and evening.
Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and increased cloud cover gave firefighters more favorable conditions Wednesday. Engines and bulldozers protected structures and extended containment lines as crews worked near Possum Kingdom Lake and State Highway 16.
The fire began Monday near Ross in Palo Pinto County before spreading into Jack County. Texas A&M Forest Service was in unified command with local departments, and the cause remained undetermined.
No deaths had been reported, but officials had not completed a damage assessment.
Palo Pinto County emergency officials reported at least five structures destroyed, and the Longhorn Council of Scouting America said the 97-year-old Worth Ranch sustained catastrophic damage.
Mandatory evacuation orders issued Tuesday in southern Jack County had been lifted by Wednesday, though precautionary advisories remained in parts of both counties. Graford remained on alert.
Parts of FM 4 and state highways 16, 254 and 337 remained closed Wednesday. U.S. 180 reopened Wednesday afternoon, according to the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office.
Smoke affected areas as far east as Fort Worth and Arlington, and about 250 United Cooperative Services customers, primarily west of Graford, remained without power Wednesday evening.
Officials had not released updated acreage or containment figures by late Wednesday.