Late August brought a series of significant fire incidents across North Texas, including a large wildfire in Palo Pinto County and multiple structure fires in Fort Worth. These events have led to the loss of homes, the displacement of families, and injuries to emergency personnel.
The Ross Fire, located west of Fort Worth, reached approximately 85,300 acres with 31% containment as of August 31. This blaze is now the second largest in the National Weather Service Fort Worth warning area’s history, surpassed only by the 2011 Possum Kingdom Complex fire. Since starting on August 24, the fire has damaged or destroyed at least five structures.
Crews have shifted their focus to the Possum Kingdom Lake area and communities along Texas 16.
The fire also impacted Worth Ranch, an 800-acre Scouting America camp established in 1930. On August 24, the blaze damaged numerous buildings, including the Duncan Dining Hall. No campers were present at the time, and staff evacuated safely. A recovery fund has been established to assess the damage and begin rebuilding the historic site.
In Mineral Wells, the Humane Society of North Texas accepted 12 dogs and 26 cats from the local animal shelter. This action cleared space for the shelter to take in pets displaced by the wildfire, which had burned over 80,000 acres.
In Fort Worth, a three-alarm fire broke out at the Mariposa Park Apartments on Calmont Avenue around 5:30 a.m. on August 25. The incident displaced 57 residents and damaged approximately 50 units. One firefighter and four residents were treated for smoke inhalation.
