As we approach the holiday season, and continue our dry weather pattern with a cold front on the way, we cannot give enough thanks for our volunteer fire departments.

Bee County is blessed with some extremely dedicated men and women, who drop what they are doing and come hastily to the aid of their neighbors in need in their times of distress.

Along that vein, we congratulate the Beeville VFD, which has been granted permission to order a new fire truck worth almost $340,000. And what a truck this is — a 2008 Pierce on a custom-built frame, a state-of-the art pumper vehicle with a 1,000-gallon water tank and compressed air foam capability. The new equipment will make it possible for the department to put out fires much faster, using less water and keeping them from flaring up again.

Fire Chief Donald C. Morris said that the truck will have a six-man cab with room enough for firefighters to suit up and don their Scott air packs while still riding in the air-conditioned interior. That will allow the firemen to hit the ground running, ready to run hoses and engage any type of structural fire anywhere.

We thank the City of Beeville, Bee County Central Fire District, the officers and members of the BVFD, and anyone else who helped make this purchase of the new fire truck possible. It makes us all feel much safer.

On a related note, Bee County commissioners, at their last meeting Monday, have again imposed a burn ban on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county.

It doesn’t take long to figure out that it’s awful dry around here, with most of the countryside becoming a distinctive shade of autumnal brown. According to the A&M research station, we are almost 10 inches of rain behind the yearly average through November, and the tall, brittle grass and brush would make easy kindling for a quick spreading wildfire.

Farmers, ranchers and county residents should know the drill by now. If not, call David Morgan, county emergency management coordinator, at 358-3271, or Ken Orrell, fire marshal, at 362-7609 between 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m.

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And speaking of being on fire, how about those Beeville Trojans? They are heading to the state Class 4A football playoffs for the fourth straight year.

We wish head coach Chris Soza and all the Trojan players and coaching staff the best as they begin what they, and we as fans, hope will be another long march through the postseason.

They were to begin their trek Friday night in Floresville vs. Medina Valley. Again, we know the A.C. Jones team will make our entire community proud. Go Trojans. All the way to state!