Overview
- Authorities confirmed late Thursday that the Ross Fire was fully contained and officially extinguished after burning for 23 days.
- Incident managers revised the burn to about 89,989 acres and said initial assessments show roughly 150 to 167 structures destroyed, including about 18 occupied homes.
- Investigators determined the blaze started along U.S. Highway 180 and was caused by roadside vehicle or equipment activity, though the exact ignition source was not pinpointed.
- State and local crews used aircraft scoopers, dozers, tactical firing and widespread mutual aid to suppress the fire, and the Texas A&M Forest Service awarded nearly $5 million to 118 volunteer departments to help recovery.
- Officials said there were no civilian deaths, two firefighters suffered minor injuries, and they warned that hot, dry conditions could produce new flare-ups through late September and into early October.