Aerial tankers drop water on massive Ross Fire in North Texas
Aerial tankers drop water on the Ross Fire on Wednesday, Aug. 26, as thick black smoke rises over Palo Pinto County in North Texas.
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The Ross Fire has burned about 85,000 acres so far across North Texas as firefighters continue working to contain one of the state’s largest active wildfires.
The fire started the afternoon of Aug. 24 west of the unincorporated community of Palo Pinto. Fueled by hot, dry and windy weather, it quickly spread across Palo Pinto and Jack counties, prompting evacuations, road closures and school closures in nearby communities.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was 21% contained in its latest update on Aug. 27. While some evacuation orders have since been lifted, officials continue to monitor the fast-moving wildfire as crews work to protect nearby homes and communities.
The Ross Fire is burning across Palo Pinto and Jack counties in North Texas, about 80 miles west of Fort Worth. The wildfire began west of the community of Palo Pinto and has expanded into surrounding areas, including near Bryson.
Although evacuation orders in Jack County have been lifted, some roads in the area remain closed because of the wildfire. Officials continue to urge motorists to check travel conditions before heading into the area.
Map shows where the Ross Fire is burning
This story has been updated with new information.
Contributing: Mateo Rosiles and Natassia Paloma, USA TODAY Network
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT