PALO PINTO COUNTY — Firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly expanding fire as dry conditions fueled its growth across the region. The Ross Fire was 5 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, August 25, 2026.

Emergency officials issued evacuation orders for portions of Jack County, including residents near and east of Bartons Chapel. An evacuation center was opened at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center on Highway 59 in Jacksboro to assist displaced residents.

A section of U.S. Highway 180 was closed due to the Ross Fire, disrupting travel through the affected area. Some schools in the affected area canceled classes on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as smoke and safety concerns persisted.

Ranchers and a livestock commission offered barns to temporarily hold animals needing evacuation. These efforts provided critical support for agricultural operations threatened by the advancing flames.

Katie Rochelle's family canoe rental business lost its office and repair shop to the fire. Some of the Rochelle company’s buses and trailers were destroyed in the blaze.

The Ross Fire burned a family home built on the property about 100 years ago. Katie Rochelle's husband, a local firefighter, helped save their home overnight despite the losses to their business infrastructure.

"We are so dry," said Amy Meyer, a spokesperson for Palo Pinto County’s emergency services district. The arid landscape presented significant challenges for containment crews working to protect structures and lives.

"We've thrown everything at this, and we're still having minimal effect," said Fire Chief Danny Watkins. His assessment reflected the difficulty responders faced against the fast-moving fire front.

Why It Matters

The rapid expansion of the Ross Fire shows the severe drought conditions affecting Texas, with approximately 77 percent of the state experiencing some level of drought conditions, a 20 percentage point increase from the previous week. This environmental context explains the extreme behavior of the fire and the challenges faced by emergency responders in containing it within the first 24 hours.

The destruction of local businesses and historic structures reflects the immediate economic and cultural impact on rural communities. The closure of major transportation routes like U.S. Highway 180 and the cancellation of school classes demonstrate how wildfires disrupt essential services and daily life for residents across multiple counties.

Timeline

The National Interagency Fire Center reported a dozen new large fires on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The Ross Fire began early Monday afternoon, August 24, 2026, and started near Highway 180 and Ross Watson Road. The Ross Fire ignited near Highway 180 and Ross Watson Road in Palo Pinto County on August 24, 2026, and burned over 50,000 acres by the next day, destroying at least five structures.

On August 25, 2026, Amy Meyer, a spokesperson for Palo Pinto County’s emergency services district, stated, "We are so dry." A section of U.S. Highway 180 was closed due to the Ross Fire. Fire Chief Danny Watkins said, "We've thrown everything at this, and we're still having minimal effect."