Texas Wildfire Expands Rapidly Across Rural Counties, Prompts Evacuations and School Closures

A rapidly expanding wildfire in rural north-central Texas forced authorities to order evacuations Tuesday as flames consumed more than 78 square miles of ranchland across two sparsely populated counties. The fire, which ignited early Monday afternoon, prompted schools throughout the affected regions to delay or cancel classes as firefighting efforts intensified.

Extreme drought conditions fueled the blaze’s explosive growth, according to Amy Meyer, a spokesperson for Palo Pinto County’s emergency services district. The combination of low moisture levels and elevated temperatures allowed the Ross Fire to spread dramatically within hours, she said.

The outbreak represents part of a broader wildfire surge gripping the South and western United States. The National Interagency Fire Center reported a dozen large fires ignited on Sunday alone, with more than 50,000 wildfires recorded nationwide so far this year—the highest count for any comparable 10-year period.

The Ross Fire, burning approximately 60 miles west of Fort Worth, had destroyed at least five structures by Tuesday. Authorities established evacuation centers and local ranchers opened barns to shelter livestock requiring removal from threatened areas.

Officials expect conditions to worsen as temperatures climb throughout Tuesday, potentially accelerating the fire’s progression across the ranch country landscape.

In Nevada, firefighters made headway containing the Hawk Fire, which has destroyed over 30 homes across roughly 23 square miles near Reno. The fire was 27 percent contained as of Monday, with evacuation orders affecting approximately 63,000 residents, down from 90,000 earlier. Authorities attributed the blaze, which began Saturday near the California border, to either intentional ignition or accidental human activity, with at least seven injuries reported among first responders and civilians.