Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Office

09/06/2026

PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT – Grass Fire / Road Closure

Bug Fire

UPDATE 9/6 6:30pm.

Fire is under control per incident command.
FM 2951 has been reopened.

Fire personnel are working a grass fire on Frontier Rd at Bug Beach. Please stay out of the area.

Road Closed: FM 2951 westbound at Park Rd 36

At this time, there is NO mandatory evacuation for this area.

Residents should remain prepared in the event conditions change and follow any additional instructions issued by local emergency officials.

Again, there are no mandatory evacuations at this time.

09/04/2026

09/02/2026

PRESS RELEASE

09/01/2026

Ross Fire Acknowledgment

08/29/2026

🔥 ROSS FIRE | DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

Texas A&M Forest Service has released damage assessment numbers for the Ross Fire.

The assessment identified:

🏠 Occupied Residences
• 18 destroyed
• 3 major damage
• 10 minor damage

🏠 Unoccupied Residences
• 7 destroyed
• 1 minor damage

🚜 Outbuildings
• 74 destroyed
• 20 major damage
• 43 minor damage

Unknown/Other Structures
• 58 destroyed
• 20 major damage
• 43 minor damage

In total, the assessment documented 157 structures destroyed, 43 with major damage and 97 with minor damage.

Perhaps one of the most significant numbers in the initial assessment:

453 STRUCTURES SAVED.

While the damage left behind by the Ross Fire is significant, that number is a powerful reminder of what was protected through the extraordinary efforts of hundreds of firefighters from Palo Pinto County and across Texas.

We remain incredibly grateful to every firefighter, first responder and partner agency that stood alongside our communities throughout this incident. 🚒❤️

08/28/2026

PRESS RELEASE

08/26/2026

We wanted to share a few locations and contacts for livestock housing due to the Ross fire in Palo Pinto County. Make sure you contact them to make arrangements prior to transporting. If I can help you with anything let me know.

Graham Livestock Gathering Pens
2805 North Oak Ave
Mineral Wells, TX
Ronnie Hardin
940-521-2158

Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Arena Pens
Weatherford, TX
Contact Ray prior to arrival to coordinate
817-694-7292

Palo Pinto County Livestock Association Arena
800 FM 1821 Mineral Wells, TX
Bret Barrick 940-445-1315

08/26/2026

Update: All roads in Palo Pinto County are now open. 8/31/26 10:58 AM

Update: N FM 4 has been reopened.
At this time the only road closure is Hwy 254 between N Hwy 16 and N Fm 4. 8/28/26 9:45am

Update:
Highway 16 has been reopened 8/27/2026 2:00 pm

Update:
Highway 337 has been reopened 8/27/2026 10:15am

Update:
Highway 180 has been reopened at this time 08262026 1:25 pm

********CURRENT ROAD CLOSURES*******

* Highway 180 westbound at Oak St
* Highway 180 eastbound at the roadside park
* FM 4 North from Hwy 180 to the county line
* Highway 337 northbound at Highway 254
* Highway 337 Grassy Ridge
* Highway 337 at West Division
* Highway 337 at Dye Road
* Highway 16 southbound at Highway 337
* Highway 16 northbound at Highway 254
* Highway 254 westbound at Highway 337
* Highway 254 eastbound at Highway 16

08/25/2026

ROSS FIRE MEDIA BRIEF

The Ross Fire has grown to approximately 50,000 acres and is 5% contained, with crews continuing to experience extreme fire behavior.

The City of Graford remains on alert. Graford ISD and Perrin-Whitt CISD have canceled school. Additional air assets are expected to arrive later this morning.

At least five structures are known to have been lost, with additional damage assessments expected to be conducted today.

Current road closures include:

* FM 4 North at the county line
* Highway 337 northbound at Highway 254
* Highway 254 westbound at Highway 337
* Highway 254 eastbound at Highway 16
* Highway 337 at Grassy Ridge Road
* Highway 337 at West Division
* Highway 337 at Dye Road

DONATIONS: Water and sports drinks may be dropped off at Clear Fork Bank in Mineral Wells. Large donations of bottled water may also be delivered to Dempsey Airport, 1348 W. U.S. Highway 180.

Additional information regarding financial contributions and other donation needs will be released as it becomes available.