Texas Ross Fire races across 200 sq km, torching camp and forcing evacuations

The Ross Fire in Texas tore through ranchland, burning camp buildings and forcing evacuations. With fierce heat and wind driving the blaze, officials fear wider damage and more disruption.A fast-moving wildfire in rural Texas spread across more than 200 square kilometres in less than a day, burning structures at a youth camp, forcing evacuations and leading to school closures as officials warned it could keep growing in hot, dry and windy conditions.The Ross Fire, burning through ranchland about 100 kilometres west of Fort Worth, was only 8 per cent contained by Tuesday evening. At least five structures were destroyed in Palo Pinto County, while fire weather was also driving blazes elsewhere in the US, including Nevada, and prompting a warning for Southern California.The fire began early on Monday afternoon and tore across lightly populated areas in two counties in north central Texas. Residents said strong winds and extremely hot, dry conditions helped the blaze jump creeks and rivers."It just took off way too fast," said Katie Rochelle, whose fifth-generation family canoe rental business lost its office and repair shop outside Graford. "The wind was going in a tornado motion." Her husband, a local firefighter, helped save their home overnight, but she said she was still worried it could catch fire. "I don't know how our house survived," she said. "Now we're waiting and praying. Praying it doesn't get our house. That's all we can do." It was not immediately known how many structures had burned. Multiple buildings were destroyed at Worth Ranch, a youth camp on the southern edge of the fire, when flames swept through on Tuesday. No campers or guests were on the property and all personnel were evacuated safely, according to Scouting America's Longhorn Council, which owns the camp.Officials with Palo Pinto County's emergency services district said dangerous fire conditions allowed the blaze to spread faster than anyone had imagined. "We've thrown everything at this, and we're still having minimal effect," Fire Chief Danny Watkins said. Wildfires have been breaking out across the South and the West in recent days as extremely dry conditions continue. The National Interagency Fire Center said a dozen new large fires were reported on Sunday alone. The centre also said there have been more than 50,000 wildfires nationwide so far this year, the highest number for the same period in the past 10 years.The National Weather Service warned of a high risk of fast-moving fires in Southern California north of Los Angeles, and a red flag warning was in place through Friday. In Nevada, firefighters were making progress against the Hawk Fire, which forced thousands to evacuate from Reno over the weekend after flames spread dangerously close to densely populated neighbourhoods. The fire has destroyed at least 47 homes across about 60 square kilometres and was 27 per cent contained on Tuesday. The number of people under mandatory evacuation orders in the Reno area fell to about 5,000. The fire began on Saturday near the California state line and grew rapidly on Sunday. At least seven people, including three first responders and four civilians, were injured. Fire officials said human activity was to blame and that the fire was either set intentionally or started accidentally. Critical fire weather with high temperatures and low humidity was expected through the weekend.In Texas, emergency officials said they expected the Ross Fire to keep growing as temperatures rose. Rochelle said the fire also burned a family home built on the property about 100 years ago. Some of the company's buses and trailers were also destroyed, though the canoes appeared to be safe for now. "I don't know what we're going to do now," said her father, Buddy Rochelle.Authorities opened evacuation centres, some schools cancelled classes, and ranchers and a livestock commission offered barns to temporarily shelter animals being moved out. As firefighters continued to battle the Ross Fire, officials said the blaze had already caused wide damage and remained only slightly contained.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 26, 2026 05:44 IST