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· collected 2026-09-06 · by S.E. Jenkins, Briauna Brown, Sergio Candido, Nelly Carreño
The Ross Fire, a wildfire that started near Ross in Palo Pinto County on August 24, has burned at least 90,400 acres and is about 57% contained. Over 150 structures have been destroyed or damaged in the area, including homes, and nearby schools were affected by evacuations and delayed openings. The fire is now considered the second-largest wildfire in North Texas, according to the National Weather Service. Evacuation orders were issued for parts of Jack County, but most residents are allowed to return home with caution.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
A wildfire that sparked near Ross in Palo Pinto County on Aug. 24 has burned at least 90,400 acres and is about 57% contained.
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that → spark → acres
It has destroyed more than 150 structures in the area, including homes, forced evacuations in neighboring Jack County and affected local schools, North Texas officials said.
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officials → destroy → schools
The National Weather Service said the Ross Fire is now the second-largest wildfire in North Texas.
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Fire → say → Texas
How big is the Ross Fire and where is it burning?
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it → burn → ?
The Ross Fire has burned at least 90,400 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, with the fire burning near U.S. 180 and FM 919.
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fire → burn → U.S.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire was 57% contained as of Sunday, Sept. 6; 157 structures have been destroyed, 140 structures are damaged, and 453 structures have been saved.
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structures → accord → Sunday
Residents in Jack County along County Road 2210 toward Highway 281 were instructed to evacuate on Tuesday, Aug. 25; however, those mandatory evacuations were lifted a day later as conditions improved.
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conditions → instruct → Tuesday
Jack County Emergency Management warns returning residents to stay vigilant as the fire is still burning in neighboring Palo Pinto County.
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fire → warn → County
The fire began near Ross in Palo Pinto County just before 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, and was initially estimated at 25 acres, according to the Palo Pinto County Emergency Service District.
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fire → begin → District
It rapidly expanded to thousands of acres.
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It → expand → acres
The Longhorn Council of Scouting America said many buildings at Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto were among the structures that 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.
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ranger → say → area
As of Monday, Aug. 31, all school districts in the area have resumed normal operations.
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districts → resume → operations
The wildfire and evacuations affected schools in the area.
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wildfire → affect → area
Jacksboro ISD delayed the start of school by two hours on Tuesday, Aug. 25, but normal operations resumed the next day.
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operations → delay → Tuesday
Perrin CISD canceled classes for Tuesday, Aug. 25, and delayed the start of school to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26.
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CISD → cancel → a.m.
Jack County Emergency Management instructed Bryson ISD and Graford ISD to cancel classes that same Wednesday.
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Management → instruct → classes
A Molson Coors spokesperson said the company had temporarily paused some canning lines at the Fort Worth facility out of an abundance of caution over the smoky skies.
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company → say → skies
"But beer lovers will see absolutely no impact," the spokesperson said.
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spokesperson → see → impact
The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team, along with the Texas A&M Forest Service, is supporting firefighting efforts with dozers and aircraft.
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Team → support → dozers
What roads are closed because of the Ross Fire?
U.S. Highway 180 has reopened after being closed to all traffic between South FM 4 and FM 919 because of the wildfire on Tuesday.
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Highway → close → Tuesday
Where can livestock be taken during the Ross Fire?
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livestock → take → Fire
The Graham Livestock Commission said that it was offering space for livestock displaced by the wildfire at the Old Mineral Wells Sale Barn at 2805 North Oak Ave.
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it → say → Ave
The holding station is available to people who need a temporary place for livestock until other arrangements can be made.
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arrangements → need → livestock
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.
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Shelter → say → Fire
Twelve dogs and 26 cats were expected to arrive at the shelter in Fort Worth on Wednesday.
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dogs → expect → Wednesday
Dry vegetation, a lack of measurable rainfall and gusty winds are creating elevated wildfire conditions across parts of North Texas.
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vegetation → create → Texas
The National Weather Service is monitoring several wildfires west of Interstate 35, with the Ross Fire among the largest.
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Service → monitor → largest
After more than a month without measurable rainfall, fine surface fuels have become critically to extremely dry, making vegetation easier to ignite and allowing fires to spread quickly.
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fires → become → rainfall
Residents are urged to avoid outdoor activities that could produce sparks or flames.
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that → urge → sparks
