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Wildfire Expands to 50,000 Acres Across Palo Pinto and Jack Counties in Texas
Just the facts
The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that the Ross Fire burned more than 50,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties with eight percent containment. Local authorities ordered evacuations along County Road 2210 toward U.S. Highway 281, establishing an emergency shelter at the Twin Lake Recreation Center in Jacksboro. Officials closed U.S. Highway 180 between South FM 4 and FM 919 while emergency crews reported damage to multiple structures. School districts in the region responded to the hazard, with Perrin-Whitt Consolidated Independent School District canceling classes and Jacksboro Independent School District delaying school openings. Firefighting operations were supported by aerial water drops and bulldozers deployed by the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System Strike Team.
Why this is news
The Ross Fire ignited in Palo Pinto County, Texas, on August 24, 2026, and rapidly expanded due to dry vegetation and high winds. Emergency management agencies issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in neighboring Jack County as containment efforts began.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.