Two weeks after the Ross Fire broke out west of Fort Worth, responders are still battling one of the largest wildfires in North Texas’ recorded history.
The weather isn’t helping. The Dallas-Fort Worth region’s summer weather is setting records with more than 53 days without measurable rain — the seventh-longest stretch on record, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Sept. 9, the fire had burned 90,400 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties and was about 57% contained, the Texas A&M Forest Service said.
Firefighters on the ground can’t break through the intense heat in some hotspots. Helicopters are trying to help by dropping buckets of water on burning trees and
logs. The reburn potential from scorched timber and strong southeasterly winds remain a concern, according to a Sept. 8 update from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Last week the region expected to get some rain and slightly cooler temperatures due to Tropical Storm Edouard. The storm brought temperatures down to the 90s and increased humidity in the area, helping firefighters to increa
se the fire’s contained area from 38% to 57%. Containment refers to the portion of the fire’s perimeter where firefighters have established a line or barrier aimed at stopping the fire from spreading.
“The fire is estimated at 90,000 acres so there are going to be portions that may see rain, portions that may not see rain,” said Laura Stevens, a public information officer with the Texas A&M Forest Service last week. “It is an ongoing operation, very dynamic, very changing as the weather comes in.”
See more beautiful photo albums Here >>>
The Forest Service and local law enforcement agencies determined that the fire originated along a road and was sparked by equipment or a vehicle, although the specific source couldn’t be determined.
At a press Sept. 3 conference, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said he expected it to take up to two more weeks to fully extinguish the fire.
Gov. Greg Abbott promised residents the state would help them rebuild when it was safe to do so and urged people to follow local officials’ guidance about when they can safely check their businesses or homes.
“To all families out there affected or maybe not yet affected, our core message remains: protect your life,” Abbott said. “Don’t drive into (the fire). Don’t drive near it. I know you may be wanting to get back to your home right now but that could be very dangerous.”
The Ross Fire began Aug. 24 near Palo Pinto and grew with extraordinary speed in the dry ranchland. By Aug. 25, officials reported that the fire had doubled in size in a few hours to about 50,000 acres. By Aug. 26, the estimate had climbed above 80,000 acres.
Firefighters have reported extreme fire behavior, including trees torching in groups amid strong winds. Crews are struggling to put out flames in the steep and rocky terrain, according to the Forest Service.
