Ross Fire rages across Texas as extreme drought fuels 50,000-acre wildfire

The rapidly growing Ross Fire has burned about 50,000 acres across two Texas counties, forcing evacuations as extreme dry conditions fuel the wildfire.

According to Fox News, the grass fire began Monday afternoon near Highway 180 and Ross Watson Road before spreading across Palo Pinto and Jack counties.

The Texas A&M Forest Service warned the blaze has "large growth potential" as firefighters battle extreme fire behaviour.

The Ross Fire was only five percent contained as of Tuesday morning.

The fast-moving wildfire forced officials to close part of US Highway 180 as flames pushed north towards the Jack County line.

Residents in southern Jack County, particularly those living near and east of Bartons Chapel, have been ordered to evacuate immediately, with an evacuation centre established at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center on Highway 59 in Jacksboro.

Weather and drought conditions are expected to make firefighting efforts more difficult, reported Fox News, adding that hot temperatures, low humidity and increasingly dry conditions could raise the wildfire risk across Texas throughout the week.

Officials have not immediately reported any injuries or confirmed how many homes or other structures have been damaged by the Ross Fire.