Ross Fire in Palo Pinto, Jack counties reaches 90,000 acres, 31% contained
Ross Fire now 31% contained after a week of burning
Firefighters faced new flare ups over the weekend while battling the Ross wildfire. It's been burning for one week and continues to spread through Palo Pinto and Jack counties.
PALO PINTO, Texas - The Ross Fire continues to burn in Palo Pinto and Jack counties. Monday marks one week since the fire first began.
Ross Fire Latest
What we know:
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, more than 90,000 acres have now burned, and the blaze is about 31% contained.
Nearly 160 buildings have been damaged, including at least 18 homes. However, the firefighters managed to save 453 other homes.
Firefighters from all across the state have been working around the clock to strengthen the containment lines. As of late Sunday night, there were more than 440 first responders helping.
They’re utilizing dozers and engine crews. And as they do what they can from the ground, aircraft have been flying above and dropping water on the hot spots.
What we don't know:
The cause of the massive fire still has not been determined.
Local perspective:
Sheridan Lankford says she had about 20 to 30 minutes to evacuate from her Jack County home when officials came to her home last Monday.
Lankford says she was more concerned about her animals than her property. She was able to evacuate with her horses and dogs.
"I really, truly wasn't worried about the property. I was worried about the animals that we could not get out within, you know, that 20–30-minute window. We just simply didn't have time."
Ross Fire rages on one week after it began
The Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County continues to burn, with officials saying it has reached over 90,000 acres and only 31% containment. FOX 4's Vania Castillo has the latest on the fire.
When she was able to return to her home, she found the structure still standing and her animals had survived.
"I cried tears of joy."
Lankford says bulldozers were at her home on Sunday cutting fire lines.
What's next:
Tropical Storm Edouard, which formed on Monday, could bring thunderstorms to parts of North Texas, but officials say there will be more wind than rain, which will make relief efforts more difficult.
The Source: The information in this story comes from the Texas A&M Forest Service, as well as Palo Pinto and Jack county officials.