How to help Texas residents, first responders affected by Eastland County wildfires

EASTLAND, Texas — Wildfires continue to roar through Eastland County and have burned tens of thousands of acres since they began Thursday afternoon. 

Dry and windy conditions have fueled much of these fires.

Four main fires are currently burning through different areas of the county, but the Texas A&M Forest Service is referring to the overall incident as “the Eastland Complex fire.” 

Around 45,000 acres have burned as of Friday afternoon.

Officials throughout the area, including some in different counties, are offering ways to help residents and first responders who are affected by the fires.

This story will be updated as more ways to help are organized.

The Community Foundation of Abilene has set up online pages for those who want to donate to fire relief. More information can be found here.

The Eastland County fire relief fund will go to fire departments and non-profits helping residents and businesses affected by the fires in Eastland County.

The Big Country fire relief fund will send donations to fire departments and non-profits in other surrounding areas that are affected by the wildfires.

The Erath County Sheriff’s Office is recommending that people not drive into Eastland County to drop off items. Instead, deliveries will be coordinated by Erath County officials.

Erath County has set up donation drop-offs at the following locations:

• Rear parking lot of the sheriff’s office at 1043 Glen Rose Rd, Stephenville, TX 76401. Contact the sheriff’s office at 254-965-3338 or 254-965-3318. The department says someone will meet you and help you unload any items.
• Walker Insurance Agency – Farmers Insurance at 155 N. Graham #102, Stephenville – 254-918-2020 
• Dublin Chamber of Commerce is accepting at the Old School Gym located in the 400 block of North Post Oak, Dublin.

The following items are being requested for Eastland:

• Water/Gatorade
• Socks
• White T-shirts
• Snacks
• Baby wipes

The sheriff’s office is also recommending those who want to donate money to do so in the form of gift cards. No cash and no clothing donations — except for socks and white T-shirts — will be accepted at the drop-off locations.

Those already in the Eastland area can still help or receive help locally, even as Erath County officials urge that outside residents who want to help not go into Eastland to drop off donations due to the dangers of the fires.

The Eastland Independent School District is keeping a live feed of ways to help and get help on its website. It says anyone who wants to donate water and/or Gatorade to help local firefighters can drop those donations off at the Eastland Fire Department at 414 S Seaman St, Eastland, TX 76448.

According to the district, the Eastland Fire Department will also be the point of contact and distribution for other county fire departments.

Those who want to help or need help can also go to the First Baptist Church in Eastland at 405 S. Seaman St., Eastland, TX 76448. The church will be taking and distributing personal hygiene items, toiletries, non-perishable food, packages of underwear and socks and jackets.

Families that need help can go to the following locations for assistance:

• Daugherty Street Church of Christ – 309 S Daugherty Ave, Eastland, TX 76448
• First United Methodist Church – 215 S Mulberry St, Eastland, TX 76448
• River of Life Church – 1247 E Main St, Eastland, TX 76448
• The Quarter Store in Ranger – 718 Pine St, Ranger, TX 76470

Eastland ISD officials say River of Life Church is an additional drop-off point for Eastland County donations. The church is accepting toiletries such as deodorant, soaps, toothpaste and tooth brushes, plus new or gently-used clothing.