Overview
- The Ross Fire began near U.S. Highway 180 on Aug. 24 and rapidly expanded to more than 80,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties.
- Incident commanders report roughly 12% containment as of Aug. 27 and say the fight could take days because weather can quickly change fire behavior.
- Nearly 200 firefighters are on scene with additional state resources, using dozers, engines and aircraft while operating under rest and recovery protocols.
- Several structures have been destroyed, including homes, a youth scout camp and Rochelle’s Canoe Rental in Graford, though no injuries have been reported.
- Local agencies have shifted from accepting goods to requesting monetary donations for equipment and supplies, and federal cost‑share eligibility has been approved.