A wind-whipped grass fire ignited on Monday near Fort Worth, Texas, rapidly spreading overnight to 50,000 acres and triggering evacuations, officials said.
The Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, Texas, which has also shut down a highway, is the latest in a series of wildfires across the West and Northwest, and came just as fire crews in Nevada were making progress in battling a massive fire near Reno that has destroyed or damaged nearly 40 homes and prompted 42,000 evacuations.
The Ross Fire was just 5% contained on Tuesday morning as it spread north into neighboring Jack County, where more people have been advised to evacuate, officials said.
“Firefighters are prioritizing life safety and structure protection, while working to establish containment lines where conditions safely allow,” the Texas A&M Forest Service said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Ross Fire started about 1:30 p.m. local time on Monday near the town of Palo Pinto, about 60 miles west of Fort Worth, and grew to 18,000 acres in just 12 hours, according to the Palo Pinto Emergency Services Department.
“Residents are strongly encouraged to leave the area now, particularly those who may need additional time or assistance evacuating,” the Palo Pinto County Sheriff said in a social media statement issued Monday night…