TEXAS — The Ross Fire is now 57% contained, however as of Tuesday it’s still burning, scorching more than 90,000 acres.
The Texas A&M Forest Service says it’s the largest summertime wildfire in Texas since statewide records began in 2005.
The Forest Service says the Ross Fire has destroyed 167 structures — including 18 occupied homes — and damaged 95 more.
The fire has required hundreds of firefighters, dozens of engines, heavy equipment and aerial resources.
Texas lawmakers approved about $630 million for the Texas A&M Forest Service during the last legislative session, including funding for wildfire suppression aircraft, equipment, volunteer fire departments and prescribed fire.
But researchers say conditions on the ground are a big part of why these fires can grow so quickly.
“Texas often has a dry, hot, windy weather like this summer, the dry grass and vegetation provide a lot of fuel for wildfires, and the strong wind helps the fire propagate very fast,” said Yunyao Li, assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The Texas A&M Forest Service says wildfire potential remains high across much of Texas because of ongoing drought.
The agency says it has responded to more than 1,000 wildfires this year, burning more than 300,000 acres.
The Ross Fire remains active as crews continue working to increase containment.