Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown and Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

As firefighters from across the area and around the state help battle the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, Stephens County has enacted an emergency burn ban with more restrictions than have been in place recently.

The new burn ban, which was approved by the Stephens County Commissioners on Monday, Aug. 24, bans all outdoor burning with a few exceptions. For example, barbecuing is still allowed, so long as the fire is contained, such as in a barbecue grill, Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fambro said.

Additionally, anyone who is welding or doing any activity that emits a flame or spark must have, in addition to the individual performing the work, a spotter to supervise and help prevent a fire from starting or spreading. “A minimum of 50 gallons of water and an adequate dispensing mechanism (pump and hose) must be in the immediate vicinity of the activity where a flame or spark(s) could be emitted. This includes, but is not limited to, metal fabrication (welding, metal cutting, etc.) and shredding,” according to the burn ban.

“So it’s the next step up from where the burn ban was,” Fambro said.

According to the Texas Wildfire Risk Explorer, most of Stephens County is currently in the “High” to “Very High” risk category, with portions of the county in the “High/Moderate High” category. The Texas A&M Forest Service identifies areas of significant fire behavior potential influenced by fuel hazards, high to extreme weather conditions, and topography for the wildfire risk explorer.

The Ross Fire started in Palo Pinto County Monday afternoon, Aug. 24, near U.S. Highway 180, just west of the city of Palo Pinto. The fire quickly spread north and has burned an estimated 50,000 acres or more in less than 24 hours and is only 5 percent contained. It has now moved into Jack County. A portion of Highway 180 was closed Monday, but it was reopened as the fire moved out of that immediate area.

Firefighters from Stephens County’s Hubbard Creek, Caddo and Wayland volunteer fire departments are helping fight the Ross Fire. They have six firefighters and three fire trucks at the wildfire, Fambro said.

At the center of the battle is the Palo Pinto Emergency Services District 1. Amy Meyer, the public relations manager for the ESD, as well as the publisher of the Mineral Wells Area News, has been reporting from the fire.

In an update at noon, Meyer said those fighting the fire had been to briefings and were dispersed throughout the area to continue battling the wildfire. In addition to volunteer fire departments from around the area, the Texas Forest Service has been on the scene, helping to fight the fire on the ground and from the air with helicopters and planes. At least five structures are known to have been lost, so far, with additional damage assessments expected to be conducted today, Meyer said.

“As the day heats up, we are going to see a lot of fire activity. It’s going to be like it was yesterday,” she said in a post on the Palo Pinto ESD1 Facebook page. “Temperatures are going to reach 108 degrees today, which is extremely hot in these situations. Humidity is around 16, so fire conditions are exacerbated today. Also, there is a steady wind of about 20 miles per hour with gusts today expected up to 27 miles per hour. So, it’s going to be a battle again today.”

Earlier this morning, Meyer interviewed ESD1 Fire Chief Danny Watkins, who said that firefighters worked through the night, focusing on structural protection.

“They were met with erratic and aggressive fire behaviors, mixed with a heavy fuel load and the weather conditions,” Watkins said, adding that the goal again today is protecting homes in the area.

Watkins said there are more than 100 firefighters working on the Ross Fire, which spread quickly yesterday. “The fuel load, the weather conditions, it’s just kind of been the perfect storm,” he said. “We just haven’t been able to contain it. We’re doing everything we can. We’ve thrown everything at this, and we’re still having a minimal effect. So, right now, the priority is just pushing if off of homes and protecting structures.”

Graford, Perrin and other communities in the area are on alert as the fire continues to progress. Meyer reports that the Graford and Perrin-Whitt school districts canceled school for today, and many highways in that area are closed.

Residents in Palo Pinto County, as well as from the surrounding counties, have been making donations of supplies and money to help the volunteer fire departments. Stephens County Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark McCullough took bottled water to one of the command centers today, Fambro said.

Although donations of water, sports drinks, snacks and other supplies are welcomed by the volunteer fire departments, Meyer said what helps the most are monetary donations. That way, they can buy exactly what they need, including repairs to damaged firefighting equipment. To make a donation to the Palo Pinto County ESD1, click here; payments may be made with a credit card, bank draft or via several money/payment apps, such as Apple Pay and Klarna.

Additionally, an evacuation center has been set up in Jacksboro for those fleeing the fire. And, several agencies and individuals are helping to evacuate livestock from the area.

For more information, about the Ross Fire, visit the Palo Pinto County ESD1 Facebook page and the Watch Duty website, which includes updates and other information about wildfires. Additionally, information is available on the Texas Forest Service’s Incident Viewer.

Cutline, top photo: Flames from the Ross Fire glow on the Palo Pinto County horizon Monday night as firefighters continued to try and contain the wildfire. The fire continues to burn and has moved into Jack County today. (Photo by Amy Meyer/Mineral Wells Area News)