The brutal heat and lack of rain has led to an uptick in wildfires across East Texas, leaving firefighters busy and exposed to extreme conditions.
Lt. Michael Bradly with Gun Barrel City Fire Department told CBS 19 that three firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, following a grass fire Tuesday evening.
"Some of them inhaled a lot of smoke [on Tuesday] despite being very careful," Bradly said.
Residents and city officials were fast to share appreciation.
In a Facebook post, Gun Barrel City Mayor David Skains told residents they can help out by donating water.
Skains told CBS 19 that during a typical summer, his firefighters will use two pallets of water throughout the season.
"We've already done that," Skains said.
And the community responded.
From donations in local coffee shops to residents dropping off cases of water at local stations.
"When they [the firefighters] respond, we respond," said Skains. "It's the neighborly thing to do!"
