Ross Fire 082426

On Monday August 24th a wildfire started under extreme fire conditions just West of the town of
Palo Pinto (also our county seat). Palo Pinto is about 12 miles West of Mineral Wells. We are very dry with low humidity and over 100 degree temps for several days. 

This fire spread rapidly. Eleven hours later 15,000 acres had been consumed. By 4am it was 25,000 with only 10% containment. As of August 30th 85,303 has burned with 31% containment.

Although a lot of this acreage is ranch land there have been 157 structures destroyed, 18 of which were occupied residences, and 140 structures damaged. Through the strong efforts of firefighters 453 structures were saved.

This was the view from our neighborhood. The sun has turned red shining through the smoke.

I drove on top of Northwest mountain to get this shot. 

One of the casualties of this fire was a canoe rental place that was a family owned business since 1928. Here is their post.

Our Rochelle’s Canoe Rental family has experienced a devastating loss.

The fire took our entire business — the shop, sheds, equipment, and the Rochelle house. There is so much history 100 year office and shops, so many memories, and generations of hard work tied to this property, and seeing it all gone is truly heartbreaking. We unfortunately did not have any business insurance so please be patience with us as we try to figure out how to rebuild this.

At this time, we have not yet been given clearance to go back onto the property. Until we are allowed back in, we cannot begin cleaning up, going through everything, or even determining what—if anything—may be salvageable.

Right now, we are simply waiting for the okay to safely get out there and begin taking everything in, piece by piece.

Rochelle’s has been a part of our family since 1928 and this community for generations, and while

this is an incredibly difficult time, we are so thankful for everyone who has reached out, prayed for us, checked on our family, and offered to help. The amount of love and support we have already received means more than we could ever put into words.

We will continue to keep everyone updated as we learn more and as we are finally able to get back onto the property.

Please continue to keep the Rochelle family and Rochelle’s Canoe Rental in your prayers as we figure out where we go from here.

Thank you for loving our family and our little piece of the Brazos River through all these years. We appreciate every single one of you.

Another casualty was Rio Roca Chapel. I actually have been here and photographed this beautiful architecture and scenic views several years ago. Click here if you would like to see that blog post.

The Ross Fire has taken a place that holds more memories, prayers, promises and meaning than words can adequately express.

Mother Nature may have taken the structure, but the Holy Spirit still resides in this sacred place.

Our faith is intact.

The walls may be gone, but what happened within them remains. The marriages blessed here. The prayers lifted. The lives touched. The moments shared. The presence of God felt by so many who walked through these doors.

Mother Nature may have won this battle, but she did not take the heart of this chapel.

We stand together in faith, grateful for every memory made here and every person who has been part of its story. And when the time comes, we will stand ready to restore this sacred place and begin its next chapter.

For now, we hold tightly to our faith and to one another.

The chapel was never simply a building.

And its story is not over.

This is a map of the area of the fire. If you want to see it larger just click on the picture.

We are praying for protection of people, animals, property, first responders and rain!

Have a good one!