Ross Fire explodes to over 80,000 acres, forces evacuations in North Texas

A wildfire that sparked near Ross in Palo Pinto County on Monday afternoon has grown to at least 80,000 acres and was 12% contained as of early Wednesday, forcing evacuations in neighboring Jack County and affecting local schools, officials in North Texas said.

The Ross Fire has burned at least 80,000 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, with the fire burning near U.S. 180 and FM 919.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service , the fire was 12% contained as of early Wednesday morning. Residents in Jack County along County Road 2210 toward Highway 281 were instructed to evacuate as crews continued battling the wildfire.

The fire began near Ross in Palo Pinto County just before 1:30 p.m. Monday and was initially estimated at 25 acres, according to the Palo Pinto County Emergency Service District. It rapidly expanded to thousands of acres.

Damage to three or four structures has been reported, and more structures remain at risk.

The Longhorn Council of Scouting America said many buildings at Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto have suffered catastrophic damage, but no scouts, campers or guests were at the property when the fire moved into the area, and the camp ranger, Pat Adams, was safely evacuated.

Residents in Jack County along County Road 2210 toward Highway 281 have been told to evacuate because of the wildfire. An evacuation center has been set up at Twin Lake Recreation Center on Highway 59 in Jacksboro, officials said.

The wildfire and evacuations are also affecting schools in the area. Jacksboro ISD delayed the start of school by two hours on Tuesday, while Perrin CISD canceled classes for the day.

On Wednesday, Jack County Emergency Management instructed Bryson ISD to cancel classes for the day, and Perrin CISD delayed the start of school to 10:30 a.m., saying buses would run two hours late.

The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team, along with the Texas A&M Forest Service, is supporting firefighting efforts with dozers and aircraft.

U.S. Highway 180 is closed to all traffic between South FM 4 and FM 919 because of the wildfire.

The Graham Livestock Commission said Monday that it is offering space for livestock displaced by the wildfire at the Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn at 2805 North Oak Ave.

The holding station is available to people who need a temporary place for livestock until other arrangements can be made.

The Humane Society of North Texas said it is helping the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter clear out its current shelter population to make room for pets displaced by the Ross Fire. Twelve dogs and 26 cats are expected to arrive at the shelter in Fort Worth on Wednesday afternoon.