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The Ross Fire that started west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto County on Monday, Aug. 24, had already consumed 50,000 acres as of Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, officials say.<\/p>\n
Texas A&M Forest Service<\/p>\n
North Texas residents are seeing and smelling smoke because of a shift in wind direction from the Ross Fire, which has burned more than 80,000 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties.<\/p>\n
Wildfire smoke expected to move south and southeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is leading to reduced visibility and poor air quality in dense smoke, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Mild effects from the smoke are likely to reach Tarrant County and Fort Worth, meteorologist Derek Dornsife told the Star-Telegram. The greatest impacts, including reduced visibility and higher risks for those with respiratory issues, remain largely west and southwest of the DFW metroplex, he said.<\/p>\n
Dornsife advised drivers to reduce speeds, keep headlights on, exercise caution, leave extra space between vehicles, and be mindful that everyone is driving through the same smoke.<\/p>\n
Because of heavy smoke in the area, the Parker County Health<\/a> Department advised limiting outdoor activities under current air conditions, Aledo ISD officials posted on social media. Aledo ISD campuses plan to hold physical education, athletics, and recess indoors while limiting other outdoor activities until conditions improve.<\/p>\n \u201cOur prayers are with the residents of Palo Pinto County and surrounding areas and the first responders battling the fires,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n Cook Children\u2019s Pediatrics in Burleson noted that the<\/a> smoke plume from the Palo Pinto fires affected air quality in Johnson and Tarrant counties, advising parents to consider keeping children with a history of lung issues indoors.<\/p>\n The White Settlement Fire Department received an increased<\/a> number of reports of visible smoke and a strong smell of smoke throughout the city Wednesday afternoon, officials said.<\/p>\n White Settlement residents may notice a smoky haze or strong odor even though the fire is a significant distance away, the department said in a social media post.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ross Fire is not moving toward Tarrant County, and there is no danger to Tarrant County residents at this time. The smoke and odor currently being experienced in the area are the result of the wind shift carrying smoke from the Ross Fire into the region,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n Anyone who smells smoke or sees general haze without identifying a specific source of smoke or fire is asked to use non-emergency numbers: West Comm 911 at 817-246-4973<\/a> or Tarrant County Regional Communications at 817-232-9800<\/a>.<\/p>\n People with respiratory sensitivities or other conditions affected by smoke should consider limiting outdoor activities, keeping windows and doors closed, and remaining indoors until conditions improve. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, should call 911, the fire department said.<\/p>\n While the smoke may be noticeable, changing wind<\/a> conditions can cause haze to move and vary throughout the day, the Johnson County Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a social media post.<\/p>\n The Sheriff\u2019s Office encourages everyone to stay aware of changing conditions and use caution, particularly those sensitive to smoke or reduced visibility, the post read.<\/p>\n \u201cThe smoke in the area is a result of a shift in wind direction from the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County. Residents are encouraged to limit outdoor exposure until the smoke clears,\u201d City of Benbrook<\/a> said in a social media post.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t Ross fire <\/p>\n This map shows the latest location and available information for the Ross Fire. Tap the fire icon or perimeter outline to view current fire details.Data is provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior\u2019s Office of Wildland Fire, IRWIN, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), NASA, NOAA and Esri.<\/p>\n Steve Wilson swilson@star-telegram.com
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