Published: · Last updated: · Reviewed by Ertuğrul Öz, Certified Fire Chief & Training Specialist
Active incident — 5% contained. The Ross Fire ignited near U.S. Highway 180 and FM 919 in central Palo Pinto County, Texas, around 1:28 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026, and grew from roughly 25 acres to more than 4,000 acres the same afternoon. The cause has not been determined. Highway 180 is closed between S FM 4 and FM 919. No mandatory evacuations have been ordered, but Palo Pinto Emergency Services District 1 urged residents north of Highway 180 and west of FM 4 to stay alert and closely monitor conditions. This article will be updated as containment figures change.
A grass fire that started small along Highway 180 exploded to more than 4,000 acres within hours, driven by dry, breezy conditions across North Texas. Aerial tankers and a Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike team joined local crews as the fire damaged several structures and forced a stretch of highway closed.
Why the Ross Fire Grew So Fast
The National Weather Service said the region had gone more than a month without measurable rainfall, leaving grass and brush critically to extremely dry. Sustained south/southwest winds of 10–15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph, combined with relative humidity as low as 18% to create conditions primed for rapid fire spread across Palo Pinto County and the broader North Texas area west of I-35. Forecasters warned the elevated fire threat would persist into Tuesday.
A fifth alarm was called within about an hour of the fire's start, bringing in a TIFMAS strike team along with Texas A&M Forest Service dozers and air support. A Temporary Flight Restriction was put in place over the fire area to keep the airspace clear for firefighting aircraft.
Evacuations and Road Closures
No mandatory evacuation orders were in place as of the latest update. Palo Pinto Emergency Services District 1 said residents in the Town of Palo Pinto, north of Highway 180 and west of FM 4, should remain alert and closely monitor conditions, and encouraged those who feel unsafe to evacuate as a precaution. Highway 180 is closed to all traffic between S FM 4 and FM 919. The Graham Livestock Commission opened its holding station at the Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn, 2805 North Oak Avenue, for residents needing a place to keep livestock while the fire is active.
A Firefighter's Take on the Conditions
"Going from 25 acres to 4,000 in a single afternoon isn't unusual once you have a month of no rain, single-digit-to-teens humidity, and sustained wind together — that combination turns dry grass into a fuel bed that carries fire almost as fast as it can spread by wind alone. A Temporary Flight Restriction and a fifth-alarm response this early tell you incident command already expected this kind of run." — Koray Korkut, Hazmat & Command Editor
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ross Fire contained?
As of Monday evening, August 24, 2026, the Ross Fire was 5% contained after burning more than 4,000 acres. Check the live sources below for the current figure.
What caused the Ross Fire?
The cause has not been determined and remains under investigation.
Is Highway 180 closed?
Yes. Highway 180 is closed to all traffic between S FM 4 and FM 919 while crews work the fire.
Have evacuations been ordered for the Ross Fire?
No mandatory evacuations were in place as of the latest update. Residents near the Town of Palo Pinto were urged to stay alert and monitor conditions closely, and to evacuate as a precaution if they feel unsafe.
Where to Get Live Updates
- Texas A&M Forest Service — official incident size, containment, and resource updates.
- Palo Pinto County Emergency Service District 1 — local alerts and evacuation guidance; contact 940-659-2085 for evacuation assistance.
- National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) — acreage and containment updates.
- Local broadcasters — CBS Texas, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, and FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth provided on-the-ground coverage.
- AirNow.gov — for current smoke and air quality impacts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
This article will be updated as containment increases or evacuation guidance changes. Verify any update against official Palo Pinto County channels before making safety decisions.
Comments 0
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Leave a Comment