Ross Fire in North Texas surpasses 90,000 acres, second-largest in the region

More than a month after igniting near Ross in Palo Pinto County, the Ross Fire continues to threaten North Texas, now ranking as the region’s second-largest wildfire. The blaze has consumed at least 90,400 acres and remains 57% contained as of Sunday, Sept. 6, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Casualty reports from the fire indicate that 157 structures have been destroyed, 140 sustained damage, and 453 were saved. The inferno, which first broke out on Aug. 24 just before 1:30 p.m., began as a mere 25-acre incident and rapidly exploded into a massive wildfire spanning Palo Pinto and Jack counties.

Firefighters are battling the blaze near U.S. Highway 180 and FM 919. In an effort to suppress the flames, the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team has deployed dozers and aircraft alongside the Texas A&M Forest Service.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, residents along County Road 2210 heading toward Highway 281 in Jack County received mandatory evacuation orders, but these were rescinded a day later as conditions improved. Emergency officials remain cautious, however, with Jack County Emergency Management advising residents returning to the area to stay vigilant, as the fire continues to rage in adjacent Palo Pinto County.

The impact has reached local institutions and businesses alike. School districts in the affected area experienced disruption earlier this month; Jacksboro ISD delayed classes on Aug. 25, while Perrin CISD canceled all activities that day and resumed Wednesday with a 10 a.m. start. Bryson ISD and Graford ISD were similarly instructed to cancel classes on Aug. 26. As of Monday, Aug. 31, all area schools resumed normal operations.

In other disruptions, a Molson Coors spokesperson confirmed that certain canning lines at the company’s Fort Worth facility were temporarily halted