TEXAS — The Ross Fire has burned an estimated 80,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties as firefighters on Wednesday continue battling the rapidly moving wildfire.
Firefighters are closely watching the wind after a shift overnight pushed the fire west toward Bryson, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
In Palo Pinto, a rural farming and ranching community, Spectrum News teams saw large plumes of smoke rising from the fire Wednesday, with embers also blowing through the area.
The Ross Fire grew to an estimated 80,000 acres in about two days and is currently 12% contained as of Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
For people living and working in the area, the rapidly moving fire has created harrowing moments.
Amy Meyer, a spokesperson for Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District 1, described watching the fire spread as she and others tried to help someone get cattle out of the fire’s path.
“In the 20 minutes that we were there, we watched it just burn so quickly and so fast and so high. It jumped a highway right in front of us,” Meyer said.
The fire has prompted a large firefighting response, with crews coming from across the state along with volunteers and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) personnel.
“As of yesterday, we have 170 personnel,” said Hector Marines, a Texas A&M Forest Service public information officer. “This goes from local to volunteer fire departments from this area to Jack County and TIFMAS strike teams, and we pull woodland firefighters across the state.”
Firefighters are focusing efforts on the western side of the fire, including the Possum Kingdom area, as well as the southern heel of the fire closest to Palo Pinto.
Weather conditions on Wednesday are providing some relief for crews. Higher humidity and cloud cover are helping firefighters, but officials say they’ll continue monitoring wind and weather conditions.