A wildland crew from Lone Peak Fire District is battling a 50,000-acre wildfire in North Texas that has forced the evacuation of approximately 630 homes and prompted a federal disaster grant.

The Highland, Utah-based crew arrived in Mineral Wells, Texas, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, after being specifically requested by the Texas Forest Service. They have worked three fires since arriving and are now assigned to the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, about 80 miles west of Fort Worth.

The Ross Fire broke out around noon Monday, Aug. 24, along Highway 180 and grew rapidly. It reached more than 18,000 acres in just 12 hours; by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, it had hit 50,000 acres. By Tuesday evening, containment reached 12%, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

"The fuel load and the weather conditions, it's kind of been the perfect storm where we just haven't been able to contain it," Danny Watkins, chief of the Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District, told WFAA. "We're doing everything we can; we're throwing everything at this and still having minimal effect."

Lone Peak Fire District said the fire is burning through pinyon junipers and mesquite trees with light, flashy fuels like grasses and brush, producing extreme fire behavior and rapid growth, ABC4 reported.

More than 100 firefighters were on scene Tuesday morning, backed by Texas National Guard helicopters, heavy equipment and aviation resources. Texas A&M Forest Service holds unified command with local departments.

Five structures were burning as of Tuesday, with damage assessments ongoing. Approximately 630 homes were evacuated overnight in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, and schools in the area canceled or delayed classes. No injuries have been reported.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant, making Texas eligible for 75% federal reimbursement of suppression costs. Abbott's office said triple-digit temperatures and little to no rainfall for the past month have kept wildfire danger high across the state. A burn ban remains in effect for both Palo Pinto and Jack counties.

The National Weather Service forecast an elevated fire threat continuing into Wednesday, Aug. 26, with hot, dry and breezy conditions and only a 10–30% chance of showers.

The cause of the Ross Fire remains undetermined, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association. No return date has been announced for the Lone Peak crew.