Smoke from the Ross Fire triggered a TCEQ air quality warning across Dallas-Fort Worth on Wednesday, Aug. 26, affecting Murphy, Wylie and Sachse residents.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued an Ozone Action Day for the DFW area, which includes Murphy, Wylie and Sachse. The agency's forecast showed PM2.5 levels reaching the "Moderate" range, with potential spikes into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category, WFAA reported. Sensitive groups include children, older adults, people with asthma or other lung conditions, and anyone spending extended time outdoors.
TCEQ's air quality forecast, issued Wednesday, already listed the advisory extending into Thursday, Aug. 27. Residents should check current conditions at airnow.gov or TCEQ's website.
Visibility and driving hazards
The National Weather Service office in Fort Worth warned that smoke would spread south and southeast through Wednesday evening, dropping visibility to as low as 1 to 2 miles in dense smoke areas. The NWS urged drivers to slow down and leave extra distance between vehicles.
Local schools
No statements from Wylie ISD or other Murphy-Wylie-Sachse area school districts regarding smoke-related precautions appeared in available public records as of Wednesday. As we reported Aug. 26, Wylie ISD had already delayed Tuesday kickoffs because of triple-digit heat.
Several districts closer to the fire did act. Fort Worth ISD cancelled all outdoor activities for Wednesday evening. Weatherford ISD told families it was moving recess and athletics indoors where possible. Garner ISD said it was limiting outdoor activities until conditions improve.
The fire
The Ross Fire started about 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, near Highway 180 and Ross Watson Road in Palo Pinto County, about 60 miles west of Fort Worth. By early Wednesday it had exploded to more than 80,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties and was only 12% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, CBS News Texas reported.
At least five structures have been destroyed. Hundreds of residents in Jack County were ordered to evacuate.
"We've thrown everything at this, and we're still having minimal effect," Palo Pinto County Fire Chief Danny Watkins told the Los Angeles Times on Aug. 25. The cause remains under investigation.
What residents should do
TCEQ's guidance while smoke persists:
- Stay indoors with air conditioning running when possible.
- Use particulate-filtering masks if outdoor activity is unavoidable.
- Limit prolonged outdoor exertion, especially for children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
- Monitor air quality at airnow.gov or TCEQ's website.
Residents can check the fire's status through the Texas A&M Forest Service at tfswildfires.com.
