PALO PINTO COUNTY, Texas — A wildfire that broke out Monday along Highway 180 near R.D. Bell Road in Palo Pinto County, known as “Ross Fire,” has grown to 85,303 acres with 31% containment, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Highway 180 and Highway 254 are closed near the scene as crews battled the flames. Officials said spot fires are popping up about a mile north of the fire.
Palo Pinto ESD 1 said the fire grew to over 18,000 acres in just 12 hours overnight Tuesday. Additional air assets arrived on scene Tuesday morning to assist the over 100 firefighters already on the scene to battle the blaze. However, by Friday, the fire had grown to 85,00 acres, officials said.
At least five structures are known to have been destroyed by the Ross Fire. Officials said additional damage assessments are expected to be conducted Tuesday. A beloved scout camp was destroyed by flames on Tuesday, WFAA reported.
Firefighters have been working around the clock to protect structures from the raging fire, Danny Watkins, chief of the Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District, said in a video posted to Facebook.
“The primary objective for the day is structural protection because of the fire conditions and the fuel load; we’re going to engage where we can, but the homes are the first priority,” Watkins said. “The fuel load and the weather conditions, it’s kind of been the perfect storm where we just haven’t been able to contain it. We’re doing everything we can; we’re throwing everything at this and still having minimal effect.”
The city of Graford is on high alert due to the fire, according to Palo Pinto officials. Graford ISD and Perrin-Whitt CISD have canceled school due to the fire, officials said.
Several roads are closed in the area, according to Palo Pinto officials:
- FM 4 North at the county line
- Highway 337 northbound at Highway 254
- Highway 254 westbound at Highway 337
- Highway 254 eastbound at Highway 16
- Highway 337 at Grassy Ridge Road
- Highway 337 at West Division
- Highway 337 at Dye Road
The latest updates on evacuations for Palo Pinto and Jack County can be found online here.
Palo Pinto officials have requested additional resources from outside the county and state resources as they continue fighting the fire.
Jack County fire response
Further north, crews worked to contain the flames spreading north in Jack County, according to Jack County emergency management officials. After a series of mandatory evacuations, officials said crews were able to contain the flames Wednesday, and would reassess the damage to the area on Thursday morning.
Crews working around the clock were able to knock down the fire in the area, according to a Thursday morning update from Jack County Emergency Management.
“As morning came to light, fire crews started implementing containment lines and cleaning up the untouched pockets that cause fires to not stay in it boundaries,” Jack County Emergency Management wrote in a Facebook post. “At the end of the 2nd day, the fire had lost its steam. Firefighters could set back and take a deep breath from the tireless and exhausting work from the last 48 hours.”
No major injuries have been reported, officials said.
A shelter is being made available at Twin Lakes Activity Center in Jacksboro off Highway 59, according to Jack County officials.
Click here to look at the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer, tracking fires across the state.
State response
Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said that FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Ross Fire.
Texas will provide all necessary resources to protect Texans from the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto and Jack Counties,” Gov. Abbott said in a statement.
The approval for the grant will help support local wildfire response efforts in Palo Pinto County, Jack County, and across the state. Support includes additional medics, ambulances, all-terrain vehicles, and additional aircraft to support response needs.
Impact on schools
Graford ISD announced classes will be canceled on Wednesday, citing ongoing evacuations, power outages and road closures.
“The safety of our students, staff, and families is our highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available,” the district said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fire, and especially those working on the front lines to keep our community safe.”
This is a developing story; please check back for additional updates.
