CEDAR CREEK LAKE–A series of multiple house and wildfires continue to keep the fire departments of Cedar Creek Lake busy during the ongoing triple degree heat. Gun Barrel City Fire Department responded to a structure fire at a residence in the 100 block of Lost Forest Road around 9:49 p.m. July 13. 
The first firefighter on the scene reported smoke coming from the attic vents on both sides of the house.  A resident of the house was home at the time of the fire along with their dog but were able to escape the fire and call 911. 
Assistance was requested from Payne Springs Fire Rescue and Mabank Fire Department. Gun Barrel City Police Department provided traffic control and assisted the fire department. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes but the house sustained heavy fire, heat and smoke damage. The Gun Barrel City Fire Marshal is investigating the cause. 
Another structure fire was reported early July 14 in the 200 block of Red Robin Drive. The resident of the house was trapped and unable to escape out of a bedroom window. A Eustace man who was visiting a friend behind the house heard the victim’s cry for help and responded immediately. He was able to pull the resident out of a window to safety. 
 When Gun Barrel City police arrived on scene, the victim was seated in a chair beside the road, awaiting the arrival of UT Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Assistance was received from Payne Springs Fire Rescue, Seven Points and Mabank Fire Departments. 
The fire was brought under control in approximately 60 minutes however the victim's two dogs were deceased. Due to the instability of the structure, the Gun Barrel City Street Department tore the structure down allowing firefighters to extinguish the remaining fire. 
Gun Barrel City Fire Chief Joseph Lindaman stated, “I want to commend the gentleman that heard the cry for help and without hesitation, responded and rescued the victim. I also want to thank Payne Springs Fire Rescue, Seven Points and Mabank Fire Departments for responding with water and manpower. Their help was important due to the intensity of the fire and outside temperatures.”
UT Health EMS transported the victim to UT Health East Cedar Creek. There were no injuries to the firefighters and the American Red Cross is assisting the victim of the fire.
A vehicle and grass fire located on east bound US 175 one-half mile west of Railroad Drive July 16 called for a response from Gun Barrel City and Mabank Fire Departments. The vehicle left the roadway, went down an embankment, coming to rest near a pasture fence. The heat from the vehicle caused the grass around the vehicle to catch fire threatening a nearby pasture. 
Gun Barrel City and Mabank Firefighters worked together to stop the fire from spreading into the pasture while extinguishing the vehicle. The vehicle was a total loss. UT Health EMS transported one patient to UT Health East Cedar Creek. 
A wildfire that eventually spread to 500 acres before crews were able to stop its forward progress, ripped through the Lively area of Kemp July 17. Multiple Kaufman County fire department crews cut a firebreak around the fire and monitored it overnight. Firefighting aircraft were called in to scoop up water from Cedar Creek Reservoir and dump it on the fire. Boaters in the north end of the reservoir were asked to stay near the shore to give way to the aircraft and drone operators were asked not to fly any drones near the fire or lake. 
Due to the amount of wildfires in Kaufman County, the Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is being proactive by maintaining a list of “mobility impaired” people with their address and location should an area need to be evacuated for wildfire or any other reason. If you, a family member or neighbor need or want to be added to this list please contact the Kaufman County OEM at oem@kaufmancounty.net or call (469) 376-4163.