- Date
- August 24, 2026
- County
- Palo Pinto County, Jack County
- City / area
- Near Ross and Palo Pinto, North Texas
- Event type
- Wildfire
- Acreage
- 90,400 acres (Texas A&M Forest Service estimate as of Sept. 4, 2026)
- Structures affected
- 167 destroyed, including 18 occupied residences; 95 damaged; 453 saved (Texas A&M Forest Service, Sept. 4, 2026)
- Evacuations
- Evacuations in parts of Jack County on Aug. 25, 2026; mandatory orders lifted Aug. 26
- Last updated
- September 28, 2026
What happened
The Ross Fire was first reported on August 24, 2026, as an 80-acre fire along U.S. Highway 180 in Palo Pinto County, and winds pushed it to about 15,000 acres the same day (Fort Worth Report). According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire reached roughly 50,000 acres by August 25 and about 80,000 acres by August 26.
As of September 4, 2026, the Texas A&M Forest Service estimated the fire at 90,400 acres and 38% contained. It reported 167 structures destroyed, including 18 occupied residences, 95 structures damaged and 453 structures saved, with no fatalities. The agency described the Ross Fire as the largest summertime wildfire in Texas since detailed statewide wildfire records began in 2005.
Texas A&M Forest Service investigators classified the fire as human-caused, originating from equipment or vehicle use associated with a roadside start. KBTX reported that investigators linked the start to a blown tire on Highway 180.
Residents of Jack County along County Road 2210 toward Highway 281 were evacuated on August 25, and mandatory evacuations were lifted on August 26, according to CBS Texas. CBS Texas reported the fire was 100% contained as of September 16, 2026. The National Weather Service ranked it the second-largest wildfire in North Texas history, behind the 2011 Possum Kingdom Complex.
Structure counts have changed as damage assessments continued. Local media reporting Texas A&M Forest Service figures on September 16 cited 157 structures destroyed and 140 damaged, which differs from the September 4 agency release. The figures above are from the agency's published release.
Official incident information
- Started: August 24, 2026, near Ross in Palo Pinto County
- Counties: Palo Pinto and Jack
- Size: 90,400 acres as of Sept. 4, 2026 (Texas A&M Forest Service)
- Structures: 167 destroyed (18 occupied residences), 95 damaged, 453 saved (Texas A&M Forest Service, Sept. 4, 2026)
- Cause: Human-caused; equipment or vehicle use associated with a roadside start (Texas A&M Forest Service)
- Containment: Reported 100% contained as of Sept. 16, 2026 (CBS Texas)
- Fatalities: None reported
Property Insurance Considerations After a Smoke or Fire Event
Being near a wildfire does not mean a property has a covered claim. Whether any loss is covered depends on the policy language and the facts of what happened to the specific property. That said, owners of homes and buildings in or near an affected area often find it useful to document conditions early:
- Photograph and video the exterior, roof, fencing, outbuildings and landscaping, plus interior rooms, before anything is cleaned or thrown away.
- Note any smoke odor, soot or ash on surfaces, in attics, in HVAC returns and filters, and on contents such as clothing, furniture and electronics.
- Keep receipts for evacuation lodging, meals and other costs, and keep a record of the dates you were away from the property.
- Write down the dates of any evacuation orders and when you were allowed to return.
- Request a copy of your full policy, including endorsements, and report the loss to your insurer promptly.
For more on how these claims work, see smoke damage claims, fire damage claims and smoke-damaged contents.