Palo Pinto wildfire grows to 50,000+ acres, multiple structures affected

PALO PINTO, Texas - The Ross Fire has burned more than 50,000 acres west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto County, prompting mandatory and recommended evacuations as dry, windy conditions fuel multiple wildfires in the area.

Wildfires rage across North Texas

What we know:

The Ross Fire started Monday afternoon just west of the town of Palo Pinto and quickly increased to multiple alarms. Flames are burning grass, brush, trees, and at least one structure.

As of the latest update from the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire has grown to more than 50,000 acres and is 8% contained. High winds blowing steadily in a northeasterly direction, combined with dry conditions and extreme heat, continue to fuel the flames.

During the day on Monday, firefighters fought the blaze from the air using planes to drop water and retardant after dipping into nearby reservoirs. On the ground, crews and fire trucks are conducting defensive operations on ranch land along FM 4, just a few miles north of Palo Pinto, working to protect structures. 

Firefighters are also rotating in and out of the line to cool down due to the intense heat.

Additionally, smaller wildfires are also burning in Wise, Parker, and Hamilton counties.

What we don't know:

It is unknown how many structures have been destroyed and the exact causes of the fires remain under investigation.

Federal assistance

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help fight the Ross Fire.

"Texas will provide all necessary resources to protect Texans from the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto and Jack Counties," said Governor Abbott. "I thank the Trump Administration for the swift approval of this grant, which will help Texas suppress this wildfire and protect lives and property. Texans must limit any activity that can cause a spark and heed the guidance of state and local officials to prevent additional wildfires and keep themselves and their loved ones safe."

Worth Ranch Destroyed

Images from SKY 4 showed devastation at Worth Ranch, a youth scout camp owned by Scouting America's Longhorn Council.

The Longhorn Council confirmed its campground sustained catastrophic damage, however, no scouts, campers, or guests were on the property at the time and all camp personnel were safely evacuated.

Resident reaction to fires

What they're saying:

FOX 4's Alex Boyer spoke to one family who said the sheriff's department told them to evacuate this morning.

They had to load around 60 of their goats and other animals into a trailer to evacuate them from the fires.

"I was panicking, but trying to keep it together for her so I didn't scare the animals and whatnot," Katie Dean said. "We did not have a great fire evacuation plan going."

Other residents who are helping with donations near Mineral Wells want to do whatever they can to help first responders.

"Hopefully we can get this fire down quickly," Darryl Evans, who has already donated 52 cases of water, said. "We can get all the water and food that we can get to the firefighters and everybody."

Evacuation orders and emergency resources

What you can do:

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for southern Jack County in the area near and east of Barton's Chapel. Residents in this area are instructed to evacuate immediately by heading east on Highway 281. An evacuation center for Jack County residents has been established at the Twin Lakes Activity Center on Highway 59 in Jacksboro.

In Palo Pinto County, residents living north of Fortune Bend Road extending north to Highway 16 North are highly advised to evacuate.

All residents in the surrounding areas are urged to remain alert and be prepared for changing conditions.

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