Ross Fire Fully Contained
North Texas Ross Fire Reaches Full Containment After Burning Nearly 90,000 Acres
Anonymous
The Ross Fire was declared 100% contained on Sept. 16 after burning for 23 days across Palo Pinto and Jack counties, where it consumed nearly 90,000 acres. It became Texas’ largest summer wildfire since statewide records began in 2005 and the second-largest in North Texas history. The blaze destroyed 157 structures, including 18 occupied residences, and damaged 140 others, but no civilians were killed or seriously injured; firefighters saved 453 structures. Investigators determined the fire was human-caused and linked its roadside ignition to vehicle or equipment use, though they did not identify a specific mechanism. More than 500 firefighters assisted with the response, and nearly $5 million was awarded to 118 volunteer fire departments to help replenish equipment and cover response costs.
Key Points
1
The fire caused significant damage to Worth Ranch, an approximately 800-acre Scouting America camp along the Brazos River; several structures were heavily damaged, but no campers, scouts or other guests were present when the fire arrived.
2
The Forest Service’s final mapped size was 89,989 acres, compared with an estimated peak of 90,400 acres.
3
The Ross Fire ranked as the 15th-largest wildfire in Texas since statewide records began in 2005, despite being the state’s largest summer wildfire during that period.
4
The rugged terrain and dense vegetation in Palo Pinto and Jack counties complicated both the fire’s spread and the effort to establish containment.
5
The blaze prompted evacuations and road closures as firefighters and other first responders traveled from across Texas to assist with the response.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
8
Articles
45
Reach
53
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor
