Wildfire Evacuations Expand
Ross Fire Surges to 50,000 Acres as Evacuations Expand in Texas
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An evacuation order was issued in Jack County at 2:41 a.m. for areas southeast of Highway 4 and FM 2210, with residents in the path told to travel east on FM 2210; a shelter was opened at Twin Lakes Activity Center (Twin Lakes Community Activity Center) on Highway 59 in Jacksboro to assist evacuees.
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In Palo Pinto County, evacuation advisories specified that residents north of Fortune Bend Road up to Highway 16 North at FM 337 should evacuate; authorities noted the area near Barton's Chapel as being part of the advisory zone.
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U.S. Route 180 remains closed between South FM 4 and FM 919, and FM 4 is closed as part of the response; evacuees are being directed east along CR 2210 toward Highway 281.
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Jacksboro Independent School District announced a two-hour delay to the start of classes in response to the Ross Fire.
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Officials note the fire began Monday afternoon around 3 p.m. west of Palo Pinto (about 80 miles west of Fort Worth) and has grown to about 50,000 acres with only about 5% containment, with Texas A&M Forest Service describing 'extreme fire behavior' as conditions remain hot, dry and windy.
The Ross Fire has torched roughly 50,000 acres across North Texas since igniting Monday afternoon near Palo Pinto, about 80 miles west of Fort Worth. Officials have ordered mandatory evacuations in Jack County and issued strong advisories in Palo Pinto County, with only 5% of the fire contained as hot, dry, and windy conditions fuel what Texas A&M Forest Service calls 'extreme fire behavior.'
U.S. Route 180 remains closed, and a shelter has opened at Twin Lakes Activity Center in Jacksboro for evacuees. Schools delayed classes, and firefighters are racing to establish containment lines as spot fires break out a mile north of the main blaze. Smaller fires are also burning in Wise, Parker, and Hamilton counties, stretching thin firefighting resources across the region.
Mandatory Evacuation Ordered in Jack County
At 2:41 a.m., officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for Jack County residents southeast of Highway 4 and FM 2210. People in the evacuation zone must leave immediately, traveling east on FM 2210 toward Highway 281. Times Record News reported that Twin Lakes Activity Center on Highway 59 in Jacksboro opened to shelter displaced residents.
Palo Pinto County Under Evacuation Advisory
In Palo Pinto County, officials issued evacuation advisories for residents living north of Fortune Bend Road up to Highway 16 North at FM 337. The area near Barton's Chapel falls within this advisory zone. Unlike the Jack County mandatory order, Palo Pinto residents in the advisory area face strong guidance rather than a legal requirement to leave.
Road Closures and Firefighting Containment Efforts
U.S. Route 180 between South FM 4 and FM 919 is closed to all traffic. FM 4 is also shut down. Air tankers and ground crews are working to establish containment lines along FM 4 and surrounding ranch land. Texas A&M Forest Service reported spot fires breaking out roughly a mile north of the main fire, making containment efforts harder as extreme fire conditions persist.
Schools and Regional Wildfires Disrupted
Jacksboro Independent School District announced a two-hour delay to classes due to the fire's proximity. Beyond Palo Pinto County, smaller wildfires are active in Wise, Parker, and Hamilton counties, stretching regional firefighting resources. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials are still assessing structure losses and containment progress as dry, windy conditions continue.
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