Rapidly spreading Texas blaze forces evacuations and school closures

A wildfire that started Monday afternoon in north-central Texas quickly expanded to cover more than 78 square miles across two lightly populated counties. Officials cited exceptionally dry weather as the primary factor behind the rapid growth, according to emergency services spokesperson Amy Meyer. The Ross Fire, now only minimally contained, has destroyed at least five buildings and forced the closure of several schools on Tuesday.

Evacuation centers have been set up, and ranchers, together with a livestock commission, are providing temporary shelter for animals. Authorities anticipate further expansion of the fire as daytime temperatures climb. The incident adds to a recent surge of large fires across the southern and western United States.