A wildland crew from Lone Peak Fire District is on the front lines of the Ross Fire in Texas, a blaze that grew from 25 acres to more than 80,000 in less than two days and has forced the evacuation of 630 homes.

The Highland-based crew arrived in the Mineral Wells, Texas, area on Aug. 19 after being specifically requested by the Texas Forest Service, according to ABC4. The team had already worked three smaller fires before the Ross Fire ignited around 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, near the town of Ross in Palo Pinto County, about 60 miles west of Fort Worth.

What started at roughly 25 acres exploded to 18,000 acres in 12 hours and hit an estimated 50,000 acres by Tuesday morning, Aug. 25. By early Wednesday, Aug. 26, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported the fire had surpassed 80,000 acres with 12% containment.

Lone Peak Fire District described conditions as extreme, with the fire tearing through pinyon junipers, mesquite trees and flashy fuels like grasses and brush.

"We've thrown everything at this, and we're still having minimal effect," Palo Pinto County fire chief Danny Watkins told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The fire spread north from Palo Pinto County into Jack County, prompting overnight evacuations. Gov. Greg Abbott's office said approximately 630 homes were evacuated. At least five structures were destroyed, according to Palo Pinto County officials, and the Longhorn Council of Scouting America reported catastrophic damage to Worth Ranch, a 97-year-old Scout camp. No scouts or guests were present when the fire reached the property.

FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant on Tuesday, making Texas eligible for 75% federal reimbursement of wildfire suppression costs. Texas National Guard helicopters, Texas A&M Forest Service bulldozers and aircraft, and state troopers have all been deployed.

Triple-digit temperatures, dry conditions and a month-long burn ban in both counties preceded the fire. The National Weather Service forecast an elevated fire threat continuing through Wednesday, with only a 10-30% chance of showers unlikely to produce significant rainfall.

The fire's cause remains undetermined. The Lone Peak crew continues working under unified command of the Texas A&M Forest Service alongside local departments, heavy equipment and aviation resources.