Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Seven Points Fire Chief Bobby Conn accepts a donation from The Monitor’s Managing Editor Ashlee Sawyer July 21. Fire departments in the Cedar Creek Lake area are incredibly appreciative of the donations to their departments.

CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Fire departments everywhere in Texas have been kept busy with worsening drought conditions leading to easily spread wildfires. A piece of glass on the side of the road will assist in igniting a fire that puts homes, businesses and livestock at risk. Mid-July a wildfire that succeeded in burning 100 acres outside Eustace was started by a spark from a chain on a vehicle. 
Most of these fires are spreading faster than fire departments can get water on the fire, which leads to assistance from multiple departments. It’s not just a drought we are facing, it’s the ongoing triple-degree heat that firefighters are exposed to while battling these fires. 
Gun Barrel City Mayor David Skains suggested on social media that communities consider donating water to any of our local fire departments after Gun Barrel City Fire Department along with other surrounding departments battled a wildfire in Gun Barrel City that burned 40 acres. 
The Monitor is accepting donations of water, Powerade and Gatorade to be distributed to the Cedar Creek Lake area fire departments. Donations can be made Monday through Friday during the business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Monitor is located at 1316 S. Third Street in Mabank. Donations must be brought inside the building. 
As firefighters battle numerous wildfires, winds and ongoing triple-degree heat, it’s important that we as a community help where we can. A package of water or Gatorade in your grocery order is a big help to these departments who are risking their lives battling fires. 
Please remember that Kaufman and Henderson County is currently under a burn ban and both have issued a disaster declaration that includes no fireworks.