Satellite Images Show Scale of Texas Ross Fire as Blaze Hits 80,000 Acres
The blaze burning west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area has ballooned to 80,000 acres and is just 12 percent contained.
A massive wildfire, known as the Ross Fire, has scorched an astonishing 80,000 acres west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to satellite imagery shared by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) on Tuesday. As of early Wednesday, the blaze remains only 12 percent contained. The fire, burning across Palo Pinto and Jack counties, was 8 percent contained when a post by CIRA was shared on X (formerly Twitter) last night.
The fire's growth can be attributed to strong winds and exceptionally hot, dry conditions, which have exacerbated the situation. Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District 1 Fire Chief Danny Watkins described the conditions as a "perfect storm," with dry fuels and weather creating an environment where the fire could spread rapidly and uncontrollably.
The fire has forced evacuations, destroyed several structures, including a youth camp where no campers or guests were present at the time. Despite the devastating impact, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Ross Fire, making Texas eligible to receive federal reimbursement for 75 percent of qualifying wildfire-suppression costs.
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