Officials: Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County was 'human-caused'

PALO PINTO, Texas - The devastating Ross Fire that started in Palo Pinto County was likely caused by a driver on Highway 180.

Ross Fire Cause

What we know:

The Texas A&M Forest Service announced on Wednesday that its investigators who have been working with local law enforcement agencies believe a human started the blaze.

"The cause of the fire was human-caused. The fire originated from equipment use associated with a tire blowout," the agency’s public information office said in a statement.

"While investigators could not conclusively identify the specific ignition source (tire blowout), the fire originated from equipment or vehicle use associated with a roadside start," a follow-up statement said.

The fire started on August 24 along Highway 180 in Palo Pinto County.

Forest service officials didn’t elaborate on what equipment was being used or whether anyone will face charges for the blaze.

What they're saying:

At a press conference in Mineral Wells on Thursday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the extent of the damage caused by the Ross Fire will remain unclear until investigators are able to safely access the burned land.

"Residents will be keenly interested in returning to their home. They need to listen to the local officials about which neighborhood or which area people can go into, and it probably is not going to be everybody going into all areas all at one time, but it's going to be up to the local officials to decide that," Abbott said.

Nim Kidd, the Chief of Texas Emergency Management, says it could take another two weeks to fully contain the fire.

"I think we're looking at up to two more weeks before we get this completely buttoned up so that we have every hot spot and smoldering ember out. So we need to plan for about two more weeks of resources here."

Kidd said the state's Emergency Management Office positioned fire-fighting resources in the area before the fire since they knew dry conditions were ripe for a fire.

Ross Fire Latest

What's New:

Firefighters are making slow progress on the second-largest wildfire in North Texas history.

It has now consumed more than 90,000 acres and is about 38% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

More than 1,000 firefighters have responded to the wildfire, with many being volunteers.

No people have been killed or injured by the Ross Fire. A preliminary disaster assessment also shows about 100 head of cattle have been lost.

At least 157 structures, including 18 homes, were destroyed, although firefighters managed to save more than 450.

Among the structures destroyed were a youth camp in Palo Pinto County and a decades-old canoe rental business that had been owned by the family for over 100 years.

The youth camp posted a video of an American flag on social media as they hope to rebuild the business.

Dig deeper:

The largest-ever wildfire in North Texas was the Possum Kingdom Complex Fire that burned 126,734 acres in 2011, according to the National Weather Service.

How You Can Help

There are multiple organizations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex collecting donations to help the affected families, displaced pets and livestock, and with other needs.

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