US 'Texas' fires consume 50,000 acres and trigger large-scale evacuations

Authorities in the U.S. state of Texas confirmed on Tuesday that the area of wildfires that broke out in the central part of the state yesterday has expanded, consuming approximately 50,000 acres (equivalent to about 202 square kilometers), prompting large-scale evacuations across dozens of counties.

The Texas Forest Service stated in a post on the social media platform X that evacuations are ongoing as the “Ross” fire in Texas rapidly expanded to cover 50,000 acres, with only 5 percent containment achieved.

Authorities added that the fire was first reported on August 24, 2026, and experienced significant growth, expanding from 25 acres to 7,000 acres in about one day.

The agency warned that the fire poses a high risk of further spread and expansion, driven by the severe drought currently affecting the region. It urged residents to remain vigilant about wildfire risks, comply with directives from local officials, and report immediately if they spot smoke or fire.

Authorities cautioned that the fire could consume 20, 30, or even 40 acres within minutes due to dry soil and high temperatures, posing serious threats to homes, agricultural land, roads, and emergency response teams.

The agency noted that nearly 200 counties in the U.S. states of Texas and Oklahoma are currently under burn bans, as the combination of drought, extreme heat, and dry vegetation keeps the risk of wildfires high.