Massive fire finally contained

The Ross Fire burned 89,989 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties over 23 days before being declared 100% contained on September 16.

Fire started from roadside equipment

The fire began August 24 near Ross when equipment or vehicle use ignited dry grass and brush. Investigators couldn't pinpoint the exact cause but suspect a dragging chain, blown tire, or trailer malfunction.

Second-largest fire in North Texas

The Ross Fire was the largest summer wildfire in Texas since 2005 and the second-largest in North Texas history, behind only the 2011 Possum Kingdom Complex Fire at 126,734 acres.

Significant property damage reported

The fire destroyed 157 structures including 18 occupied homes and damaged 140 more. Firefighters saved 453 structures during the response.

Scout camp heavily damaged

Worth Ranch, an 800-acre Scouting America camp on the Brazos River, suffered heavy structural damage. No campers or scouts were present when the fire reached the property.

No civilian deaths or injuries

Despite the scale of the fire and 23-day response involving over 500 firefighters, no civilians were killed and none suffered serious injuries.

“Being able to say that we didn't lose any lives or didn't have any injuries to civilians is nothing short of a great success on our part.”

Volunteer departments receive funding

Texas A&M Forest Service awarded nearly 5 million dollars to 118 volunteer fire departments to help replenish resources, service trucks, and cover fuel costs from the response.

Wildfire season still active

The region remains at risk through late September and early October. Eight wildfires are currently burning across Texas, with dry vegetation and limited rainfall keeping conditions dangerous.