Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service

09/09/2026

Two teams from HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response recently visited the Ross Fire Incident Command Post. The specially trained volunteer handlers and dog teams provided free emotional support, comfort and stress relief to first responders working long and demanding shifts. The dogs help reduce anxiety and provided a great morale boost to incident personnel some of whom are away from home and family for long periods of time.

We are grateful to the handlers and friendly dogs for lifting the spirits of those keeping Texans safe.

https://www.hopeaacr.org/

Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters and all assigned resources continue suppression efforts on wildfires burning across the state, including the 90,400 acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, the 400 acre Half Section Fire in Schleicher County, the 400 acre Follow Fire and 77 acre South Day Fire in Sutton County.

Multiple regions will continue to support initial attack fire activity Tuesday through Thursday. Underlying drought and dry surface fuel will support low to moderate initial attack fire potential in Northeast Texas, North Texas, the Cross Timbers, Rolling Plains, and Lower Gulf Coast. The footprint of dry surface fuel will reduce in the High Plains with increased opportunities for rainfall. The risk for a large fire with high resistance to control will be limited due to increased moisture and less wind in the environment noted by the decreasing scope of high fire danger.

Our personnel remain on standby to respond to new requests for assistance statewide.

Stay wildfire aware! If you see smoke or a wildfire, call 911 immediately.

Current Wildfire Activity: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/wildfire-and-other-disasters/current-wildfire-status/
Active Fire Map: https://public.tfswildfires.com
Incident Updates on X: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS
Additional Updates on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

Photos courtesy of E. Turner (Ross Fire), Texas A&M Forest Service.

09/08/2026

Wildfire Update – Monday, September 7, 2026, 8:00 PM

Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters and all assigned resources continue suppression efforts on wildfires burning across the state, including the 90,400 acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, the 400 acre Follow Fire and 77 acre South Day Fire in Sutton County and the 466 acre Red Gate Fire and 123 acre Half Section Fire in Schleicher County.

The area of critically dry to dry surface fuel decreased over the weekend and will continue this trend early this week with increased relative humidity values, limiting the risk for a large fire with high resistance to control. Monday and Tuesday may feature more wind in the fire environment across the High Plains, Rolling Plains, and Cross Timbers. The Cross Timbers and Rolling Plains may moderate initial attack potential.

Our personnel remain on standby to respond to new requests for assistance statewide.

Stay wildfire aware! If you see smoke or a wildfire, call 911 immediately.

Active Fire Map: https://public.tfswildfires.com
Incident Updates on X: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS
Additional Updates on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

Photos courtesy of C. Verhine( Bug Fire), G. Galveston (Ross Fire) and J. Abston (Red River Fire).

09/07/2026

Wildfire Update – Sunday, September 6, 2026, 8:00 PM

Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters and all assigned resources continue suppression efforts on wildfires burning across the state, including the 90,400 acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, the 156 acre Follow Fire and 77 acre South Day Fire in Sutton County, and the 123 acre Half Section Fire in Schleicher County.

The footprint of dry vegetation decreased over the weekend and will continue early next week with increased relative humidity values, limiting the risk for a large fire with high resistance to control. On Sunday, underlying drought and dry surface fuel supported low to moderate initial attack fire potential in Northeast Texas, North Texas, the Cross Timbers and Rolling Plains. Thunderstorms in the High Plains and Western Hill Country may result in ignitions; however increased moisture is not expected to produce fires with high resistance to control. Monday and Tuesday may have more wind in the fire environment across the High Plains, Rolling Plains, and Cross Timbers. The Cross Timbers and Rolling Plains may moderate initial attack potential.

Resources remain on standby to respond to new requests for assistance statewide.

Stay wildfire aware! If you see smoke or a wildfire, call 911 immediately.

Active Fire Map: https://public.tfswildfires.com
Incident Updates on X: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS
Additional Updates on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

Video courtesy of R. Monzingo (Bug Fire, Sept 6), Texas A&M Forest Service.

09/06/2026

Wildfire Update – Saturday, September 5, 2026, 8:00 PM

Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters and all assigned resources continue suppression efforts on wildfires burning across the state, including the 90,400 acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, the 653 acre Alma Fire in Ellis County, the 202 acre Paw Fire and 123 acre Half Section Fire in Schleicher County, the 125 acre Bright Light Fire in Stonewall County and the 75 acre Humming Fire in Briscoe County.

Through the weekend and early next week forecast maximum temperatures will trend near to above normal with temperatures in the upper 90’s statewide and isolated low 100-degree temperatures in some areas of the state.

On Sunday (9/6), forecast minimum relative humidity values below 25% are forecast to be isolated within the High Plains, Caprock, and Rolling Plains. Southerly wind speeds could reach 15 mph in the evening. East Texas, Cross Timbers, Eastern/Western Hill Country, and Coastal regions could observe minimum relative humidity values near and above 30% with southerly wind speeds up to 10 mph. The fire environment will support moderate to low initial attack potential and any fire that occurs should have moderate resistance to control.

On Monday (9/7), forecast minimum relative humidity values below 30% are forecast to be isolated within the High Plains, Caprock, Rolling Plains, and South Texas. Southerly wind speeds could reach 18 mph in the evening. East Texas, Cross Timbers, Eastern/Western Hill Country, and Coastal regions could observe minimum relative humidity values near and above 30% with southerly wind speeds up to 10 mph. The fire environment will support moderate to low initial attack potential and any fire that occurs should have moderate resistance to control.

Southeast Texas observed improvement in fuel dryness due to widespread observed rainfall from tropical system Edouard, while the Rolling Plains observed only minor improvements in fuel dryness since this region did not receive widespread rainfall. Critically dry fuels will support moderate to low potential for large fires with moderate to low resistance to control when elevated to critical fire weather is injected into the fire environment.

Our personnel remain on standby to respond to new requests for assistance statewide.

Stay wildfire aware! If you see smoke or a wildfire, call 911 immediately.

Active Fire Map: https://public.tfswildfires.com
Incident Updates on X: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS
Additional Updates on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/
Photos courtesy of K. Cole (Alma Fire), Texas A&M Forest Service.

09/05/2026

Wildfire Update - September 4, 2026, 8:00 PM

Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters and all assigned resources continue suppression efforts on wildfires burning across the state, including the 90,048 acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County.

Today marks the 15th anniversary since the start of the Bastrop County Complex Fire. These fires are still the costliest and most destructive wildfires to date in Texas and resulted in a loss of two lives and 1,696 structures. We pause to remember today those loses and to express gratitude for the hundreds of firefighters from many agencies that responded to the fire complex.

Today, the Rolling Plans and Cross Timbers fire environment will support moderate initial attack potential with low risk of a large fire with moderate resistance to control. This will be driven by maximum high temperatures over 100, minimum relative humidity values near 20%, and south wind speeds reaching 15 mph expected over critically dry fuels.

The fire environment for the High Plains, Rolling Plains, Northeast Texas, Eastern Hill Country, Central Texas, South Texas, and Lower Gulf Coast will continue to support moderate to low potential where rainfall deficits and dry to critically dry surface fuels are present and forecast to persist. Increased afternoon wind speeds that will linger in the evening could cause moderate resistance to control in high-risk juniper/oak fuels.

The fire environment will shift to a hot and mostly dry pattern for the state this weekend and into next week. Increased surface moisture and the lack of widespread elevated fire weather will keep the volume of initial attack potential low to moderate. The shift in fire weather will help to keep resistance to control in high-risk juniper/oak fuels low to moderate.

Our personnel remain on standby to respond to new requests for assistance statewide.

Stay wildfire aware! If you see smoke or a wildfire, call 911 immediately.
Active Fire Map: https://public.tfswildfires.com
Incident Updates on X: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS
Additional Updates on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

📸 Photos courtesy of S. Davis (Rusk 7945 Fire), Texas A&M Forest Service.

09/04/2026

Wildfire Update - September 3, 2026, 8:00 PM

Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters and all assigned resources continue suppression efforts on wildfires burning across the state, including the 90,400 acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County. The 2,713-acre Rio Escondido Fire in Hamilton County was declared contained Wednesday evening. Today, the 502 acre Live Oak Fire in Menard County was declared contained in the early afternoon.

Recently observed precipitation from tropical storm Edouard has improved fuel dryness and reduced fire potential for portions of Southeast Texas, Western Pineywoods, and North Texas. Areas west of I-35 did not observe measurable rainfall and will support moderate to low initial attack potential as a hot and mostly dry pattern returns through the weekend and early next week. The risk for a large fire with high risk to control is limited due to increased surface moisture and lack of widespread elevated fire weather.

In the past week, Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to 80 new fires with a total of 13, 297 acres across the state. Our personnel remain on standby to respond to new requests for assistance statewide.

Stay wildfire aware! If you see smoke or a wildfire, call 911 immediately.
Active Fire Map: https://public.tfswildfires.com
Incident Updates on X: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS
Additional Updates on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

📸 Pigtail Fire photos courtesy of D. Sanders and P. Calkin, Credit: Texas A&M Forest Service.

09/03/2026

The Texas Fire Potential Update is posted at: https://bit.ly/TexasFirePotentialUpdate

Recently observed precipitation from tropical storm Edouard has improved fuel dryness and reduced fire potential for portions of Southeast Texas, Western Pineywoods, and North Texas. Area's west of I-35 did not observe measurable rainfall and will support moderate to low initial attack potential as a hot and mostly dry pattern returns through the weekend and early next week. The risk for a large fire with high risk to control is limited due to increased surface moisture and lack of widespread elevated fire weather.
On Friday (9/4) the Rolling Plains and Cross Timbers fire environment will support moderate initial attack potential with low risk of a large fire with moderate resistance to control. This will be driven by maximum high temperatures over 100˚F, minimum relative humidity values near 20%, and south wind speeds could reach 15 mph is expected over critically dry fuels.
Through the outlook the fire environment for the High Plains, Rolling Plains, Northeast Texas, Eastern Hill Country, Central Texas, South Texas, and Lower Gulf Coast will continue to support moderate to low potential where rainfall deficits and dry to critically dry surface fuels are present and forecast to persist. The Western Hill Country will continue to support low initial attack potential as underlying dryness persists. Increased afternoon wind speeds that will linger in the evening could cause moderate resistance to control in high-risk juniper/oak fuels.
The fire environment will shift to a hot and mostly dry pattern for the state this weekend and into next week. Increased surface moisture and the lack of widespread elevated fire weather will keep the volume of initial attack potential low to moderate. The shift in fire weather will help to keep resistance to control in high-risk juniper/oak fuels low to moderate

The Texas Fire Potential Update is posted at: https://bit.ly/TexasFirePotentialUpdate

Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service

Recently observed precipitation from tropical storm Edouard has improved fuel dryness and reduced fire potential for portions of Southeast Texas, Western Pineywoods, and North Texas. Area's west of I-35 did not observe measurable rainfall and will support moderate to low initial attack potential as a hot and mostly dry pattern returns through the weekend and early next week. The risk for a large fire with high risk to control is limited due to increased surface moisture and lack of widespread elevated fire weather.

On Friday (9/4) the Rolling Plains and Cross Timbers fire environment will support moderate initial attack potential with low risk of a large fire with moderate resistance to control. This will be driven by maximum high temperatures over 100˚F, minimum relative humidity values near 20%, and south wind speeds could reach 15 mph is expected over critically dry fuels.

Through the outlook the fire environment for the High Plains, Rolling Plains, Northeast Texas, Eastern Hill Country, Central Texas, South Texas, and Lower Gulf Coast will continue to support moderate to low potential where rainfall deficits and dry to critically dry surface fuels are present and forecast to persist. The Western Hill Country will continue to support low initial attack potential as underlying dryness persists. Increased afternoon wind speeds that will linger in the evening could cause moderate resistance to control in high-risk juniper/oak fuels.

The fire environment will shift to a hot and mostly dry pattern for the state this weekend and into next week. Increased surface moisture and the lack of widespread elevated fire weather will keep the volume of initial attack potential low to moderate. The shift in fire weather will help to keep resistance to control in high-risk juniper/oak fuels low to moderate.

09/03/2026

Boe Adler, Regional Operations Chief with Texas A&M Forest Service, provides an operational update for the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County on September 3, 2026.

**This will be the final morning video briefing for the Ross Fire. Updates and information can be found at the links in this post.***

The fire is currently 90,400 acres and 38% contained.

Updates for the Ross Fire are posted to InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/txtxs-ross-fire

For information about active and recently contained wildfires, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer: https://public.tfswildfires.com

Frequent incident updates can be found on the Incident Information X page: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS

For more on the Current Situation, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/wildfire-and-other-disasters/current-wildfire-status/

09/03/2026

Wildfire Update - September 2, 2026, 8:00 PM

Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters and all assigned resources continue suppression efforts on wildfires burning across the state, including the 90,048 acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County and the 2,713-acre Rio Escondido Fire in Hamilton County. The 4,416 acre McKee Draw Fire in Edwards County and the 431 acre River Bluff Fire in Atascosa County were declared contained Monday evening. The 826 acre Harris Fire in Throckmorton County and the 961 acre West Fork Fire in Sutton County were declared contained today.

Today, the remnants of Tropical Storm Edouard continued to weaken and spin in North and Central Texas. There was a forecast increase in relative humidity, rain, and cloud cover that was expected to mitigate the risk of a large fire. Our personnel remain on standby to respond to new requests for assistance statewide.

Stay wildfire aware! If you see smoke or a wildfire, call 911 immediately.
Active Fire Map: https://public.tfswildfires.com
Incident Updates on X: https://x.com/AllHazardsTFS
Additional Updates on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

📸 Photos courtesy of S. Davis (Rusk 7945 Fire), Texas A&M Forest Service. See less

09/02/2026

🔥 Historic Wildfire Fighting Effort on the Ross Fire 🔥

For the first time in Texas history on August 31, 2026, ground crews have successfully utilized ground-based fire retardant application as part of wildfire suppression efforts on the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County.

Responding firefighters applied retardant along 4.5 miles of Highway 16 between Red Bluff Road and Highway 254, using a Type 3 wildland engine. While this is the same retardant commonly used in aerial firefighting operations, this marks the first-ever ground-based application of its kind in Texas.

This innovative approach was especially valuable in areas with dense vegetation, narrow roadways, and hazards such as power lines, where aerial operations faced significant challenges. The retardant line was strategically placed as an indirect firefighting tactic, creating a contingency holding line designed to slow or stop fire spread should fire behavior intensify unexpectedly.

This milestone demonstrates the adaptability, innovation, and dedication of our wildfire response personnel as they continue to find new ways to protect communities, infrastructure, and natural resources across Texas.