Texas wildfire spreads to 50,000 acres, containment remains at 5%

The Ross Fire burning in North Texas has grown to approximately 50,000 acres, only 5 per cent contained as firefighters confront the quick-moving flame and evacuations spill into the neighbouring county of Jack, Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service posted on X.

The wildfire, ignited Monday along U.S. Highway 180 west of Palo Pinto, was pushed over many acres during the hottest, driest and windiest hours, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The agency has augmented local firefighters with resources including the use of its heavy equipment and aircraft.

The blaze had begun creeping from Palo Pinto County into the southern part of Jack County, where an evacuation order for the area came Tuesday morning, and residents were asked to vacate via County Road 2210 leading to U.S. Highway 281. A designated evacuation shelter was set up inside the Twin Lakes Recreation Centre in Jacksboro.

A part of U.S. Highway 180 has also been closed off by emergency crews. They were also working to contain the wildfire itself. Officials said a number of properties sustained damage and some are still endangered.

Earlier in the day, the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office had recommended that those living north of the Fortune Bend Road leave in effort of security, noting the weather had turned volatile and conditions could evolve quickly.

Investigators don’t as of yet know what initiated the wildfire. Firefighters were pressing on with suppression measures throughout Tuesday, given conditions were ripe for additional developments due to a spell of dry weather.