Fire retardant rains down on massive Ross Fire in North Texas
Firefighters battle the massive Ross Fire as aircraft drop bright red retardant over flames spreading across North Texas.
Mesquite Fire Department & Office of Emergency Management via Storyful
- Wildfires are actively burning across Texas due to hot and dry conditions.
- The Ross Fire in North Texas has burned over 90,000 acres and is 31% contained.
- Firefighters are working to build containment lines and protect nearby communities.
- A tropical depression is unlikely to bring significant rainfall to the fire-affected areas.
Wildfires continue to burn across Texas, with firefighters still battling the massive Ross Fire in North Texas as hot, dry conditions keep fire danger elevated across much of the state. Dry grass and brush remain abundant fuels, leaving parts of Texas vulnerable to new fires even as crews work to contain existing blazes.
The Ross Fire, which began Aug. 24 near Highway 180 in Palo Pinto County, has burned more than 90,000 acres. The fire remained active and was 31% contained as of Sept. 2, with crews continuing to build and reinforce containment lines and protect nearby communities.
Tropical Depression Edouard could bring rain to parts of North Texas, but little or none is expected across the areas where the largest fires are burning. Most of North and Northwest Texas will likely see little meaningful rainfall from the system, limiting its potential to significantly improve fire conditions, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
Texas wildfire smoke map tracker
Where is the Ross Fire?
The Ross Fire sparked just west of Palo Pinto, a small unincorporated town about 80 miles west of Fort Worth.
Texas weather watches and warnings
Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text
Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the nation as the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network and contributes to Texas Connect coverage across the state. She can be reached at baddison@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Facebook here.