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Ross Fire explodes to over 80,000 acres, forces evacuations in North Texas
Developing
Updated on: August 26, 2026 / 6:41 AM EDT / CBS Texas A wildfire that sparked near Ross in Palo Pinto County on Monday afternoon has grown to at least 80,000 acres and was 12% contained as of early Wednesday, forcing evacuations in neighboring Jack County and affecting local schools, officials in North Texas said.
The Humane Society of North Texas said it is helping the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter clear out its current shelter population to make room for pets displaced by the Ross Fire. The Longhorn Council of Scouting America said many buildings at Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto have suffered catastrophic damage, but no scouts, campers or guests were at the property when the fire moved into the area, and the camp ranger, Pat Adams, was safely evacuated.
The Graham Livestock Commission said Monday that it is offering space for livestock displaced by the wildfire at the Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn at 2805 North Oak Ave. An evacuation center has been set up at Twin Lake Recreation Center on Highway 59 in Jacksboro, officials said.
Damage to three or four structures has been reported, and more structures remain at risk.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Updated on: August 26, 2026 / 6:41 AM EDT / CBS Texas A wildfire that sparked near Ross in Palo Pinto County on Monday afternoon has grown to at least 80,000 acres and was 12% contained as of early Wednesday, forcing…
- Damage to three or four structures has been reported, and more structures remain at risk.
- The Longhorn Council of Scouting America said many buildings at Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto have suffered catastrophic damage, but no scouts, campers or guests were at the property when the fire moved into the area,…
- An evacuation center has been set up at Twin Lake Recreation Center on Highway 59 in Jacksboro, officials said.
- The Graham Livestock Commission said Monday that it is offering space for livestock displaced by the wildfire at the Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn at 2805 North Oak Ave.
- The Humane Society of North Texas said it is helping the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter clear out its current shelter population to make room for pets displaced by the Ross Fire.
Sources
- CBS News — source text fetched for this pass link