Texas A&M Forest Service

The Ross fire in western North Texas has burned an estimated 80,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties and was only 12% contained as of Wednesday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The fire, which started Monday near Ross and grew rapidly amid triple-digit heat, gusty winds and dry conditions, continued spreading west toward Possum Kingdom and State Highway 16, with further growth expected. About 630 homes were evacuated, a mandatory evacuation order remains in place for parts of southern Jack County, and a shelter has been opened in Jacksboro. No deaths have been reported, but at least five structures have been destroyed in Palo Pinto County.

The fire also caused catastrophic damage to Worth Ranch, a 97-year-old Boy Scout camp, though no one there was injured. Smoke has drifted into Mineral Wells, and local groups have taken in evacuated livestock. The fire's cause remains under investigation.