No sooner had officials in Henderson and Kaufman Counties enacted burn bans to combat unrelenting high temperatures and dry conditions, than the rain began to fall.

And it fell, and it fell and it continued to fall for seven days, registering eight inches in one area near Seven Points. Not surprisingly, county officials who had enacted burn bans in Cedar Creek Lake area counties ended recent burn bans imposed on the area.

This week, landscape companies struggled to keep up with the demand for lawn care that lake area residents needed in greater abundance this summer. Lawns in many areas reached nearly a foot in height during the recent downfalls.

Both Henderson and Kaufman County Commissioners Courts ordered burn bans this month because of the intolerable conditions.

Henderson County established a 28-day burn ban on Aug. 2, and Kaufman County banned burning Aug. 8 for 90 days.

The burn bans were well advised, according to county fire marshals. Cedar Creek Lake's 11 fire departments battled grass fires in recent days as temperatures soared to 100-plus, and the area saw no rain.

The U.S. Forest Service sets the Keetch-Bynum Drought Index mark for recommended burn bans at 575 on the index's 800-point scale. The index rose above 600 in both counties, and fire marshals warned it would likely top 700 soon.

The Cedar Creek Lake Parrot Head Club recently distributed 1,600 cases of water to area fire departments during an especially bad day of firefighting.

It is estimated firefighters consume 8 cases of water while extinguishing one fire.

Summer is almost over so maybe additional burn bans will not be necessary. In the meantime, enjoy bonfires and burning grass, leaves and tree branches.