With the fire fight winding down, the Smithville community is starting to put resources into its recovery. Volunteers and relief services are gearing up for their part in helping the town on its path to healing. Some of these groups are no strangers to Central Texas. Our Jeff Stensland has more.
SMITHVILLE, Texas -- Fire crews say their work is almost finished. Now, the Smithville community shifts its focus to recovery.
"We are kind of watching the weather, and we will see what that does," said volunteer Gary Smith.
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Smith arrived with about two-dozen others from the Austin and Dallas areas.
They're part of the Texas Baptist Men, volunteers from churches across the state ready to provide food, daycare and clean-up help.
But their chainsaws will likely stay quiet until the storms pass.
"We are planning on beginning Monday in earnest with our chainsaw skid-steers," said Smith.
The Texas Baptist Men were in the area in 2011, cleaning up after the Bastrop County Complex Fire.
They were also in Hays County in May, after the Memorial Day floods.
Beyond manpower, local leaders are asking for money as they're not sure this fire will qualify for federal help.
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Commissioner Clara Beckett says the Bastrop County Long-Term Recovery Teams learned a lot from the 2011 fire.
"They were able to build homes and leverage those donations through these volunteer organizations to get a whole lot out of that dollar," said Beckett.
If you'd like to give your time or money, you can visit the county's long-term recovery website.
Donations are tax deductible.