Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan said Sunday that ecological damage from the recent Carmel fire was estimated between 150 million and 170 million shekels. Speaking to senior officials at the Netanya Academic College, Erdan said the figure covered the rehabilitation of the area's forests, the Chai-Bar nature reserve, trails and taking care of hazardous wastes.
The minister said it would take two to three years to rehabilitate trees that were damaged in the blaze, but said one could not say how long the overall process would take. He voiced his opposition to a committee of inquiry into the handling of the fire but said a national firefighting force should be established and standing recommendations should be implemented.