Overview
- The Ross Fire, which began Monday, Aug. 24, has grown to an estimated 85,303 acres and is about 31 percent contained according to the incident management team.
- A formal damage survey confirmed 157 structures destroyed, including 18 occupied homes, with 140 structures damaged and 453 structures saved by firefighters.
- Texas A&M Forest Service leads unified command using dozer lines, aircraft, mop-up work and a planned tactical firing operation while FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to bolster the response.
- Officials reported all evacuation orders have been lifted in the latest update, a Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect and the only current road closure is Hwy 254 between N Hwy 16 and N FM 4.
- Forecasts of high temperatures, low humidity and southerly winds are expected to keep fire behavior active, putting a premium on completed holding features and ongoing containment work and creating continued demand for regional firefighting resources.