Texas Wildfire Burns 50,000 Acres, Forces Evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire in north central Texas has burned more than 78 square miles, destroyed structures at a youth camp, and forced hundreds of evacuations as extreme heat, dry conditions, and strong winds fueled its rapid spread. The Ross Fire, which began Monday afternoon, had charred approximately 50,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties by Tuesday morning, with containment at just 8 percent by Tuesday evening. The blaze started near Highway 180 and Ross Watson Road in Palo Pinto County and quickly expanded northward toward the Jack County line. Fueled by whipping winds and temperatures near 109 degrees, the fire jumped creeks and rivers, overwhelming initial firefighting efforts. "We've thrown everything at this, and we're still having minimal effect," Palo Pinto County Fire Chief Danny Watkins said. Evacuation orders were issued for residents in southern Jack County, particularly those near and east of Bartons Chapel, with an evacuation center established at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center in Jacksboro. In Palo Pinto County, a voluntary evacuation was advised for residents north of Fortune Bend Road extending to Highway 16 North at FM 337.