(WFAA Texas photo)
PALO PINTO COUNTY, TX (WGNS) - Four Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department firefighters are now in North Texas, working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with crews from across Tennessee as the massive Ross Fire continues to burn through drought‑stricken ranchlands west of Fort Worth. Murfreesboro is the only Rutherford County agency on the deployment, and its four‑person engine crew is part of a 29‑member Tennessee strike team activated under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The Ross Fire ignited Monday afternoon (8/24/2026) near Highway 180 and R D Bell Road in Palo Pinto County, Texas. What began as a routine brush fire quickly turned into a fast‑moving inferno as triple‑digit temperatures, bone‑dry grass, and wind gusts topping 30 to 40 miles per hour pushed flames across Jack and Palo Pinto counties. As of the latest reports, the fire has burned between 85,000 and 88,000 acres and remains roughly 26% to 31% contained—making it one of the largest wildfires North Texas has seen in modern history.
Murfreesboro’s crew deployed with a Type 1 engine, the department’s standard heavy‑attack apparatus capable of pumping large volumes of water for structural protection. The truck carries a full complement of hose lines, ground ladders, ventilation tools, medical gear, and wildland equipment including fire shelters, hand tools, and portable radios. Crews also brought additional PPE suited for extended wildland operations, along with cooling packs and rehab supplies to manage the extreme heat.
Despite the size of the blaze, officials report no civilian or firefighter fatalities. Some responders have experienced heat‑related fatigue—unsurprising given the conditions. Daytime highs in the fire zone have hovered between 99 and 102 degrees, with overnight lows barely dipping into the mid‑70s. The combination of heat, drought, and wind continues to complicate containment efforts.
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire. Early speculation points to common ignition sources—equipment sparks, vehicle exhaust, or downed utility lines—but nothing has been confirmed.
The Tennessee strike team includes personnel from Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Franklin, Knoxville, Columbia, Madison County, and Maury County. They are expected to remain in Texas for roughly 14 days, rotating through structural protection assignments and perimeter containment work.
