Russian fire-fighting plane over Carmel fire.
Russian fire-fighting plane over Carmel fire.Israel news photo: Flash 90

Firefighters reported late on Sunday evening that all the fires that had been raging on the Carmel since Thursday are now out. Fire crews are still in the process of inspecting several points where fires have been burning and all crews are expected to remain on scene while the work is in the process of completion.

Police announced that all evacuated residents can return to their homes with the exception of residents of Beit Oren and Kfar Sitrin.

During the day on Sunday, the Evergreen Supertanker fire-fighting airplane and dozens of other fire-dousing aircraft helped stop the Carmel fire from spreading any further. By 4:00 PM, firefighters had been preparing to announce that the fire is officially under control.

Colder temperatures and possible rain showers were forecast and were also expected to help end the fiery nightmare that the Carmel region has undergone for more than 72 hours.  A light, intermittent rain did begin to fall during the night, helping to finish the job and give the spirits of Israelis a lift. 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu echoed this assessment Sunday afternoon. “The mountain is smoldering, but it has almost ceased to burn,” he said. He spoke at the Druze village of Ussefiya, one of the locations at which the huge fire was started Thursday, where he was to attend an ad hoc Local Council meeting.

Netanyahu sounded optimistic when he addressed the press. He said that numerous nations of the world offered Israel aid in putting out the fire, and that one reason for this was that the entire world is familiar with Israel's biblical landscape, including Mount Carmel. He claimed with satisfaction that Israel appeared to be bringing the fire to an end after three days, while similar events last three weeks in other countries. The difference, Netanyahu explained, is that Israel is a small country and that “we have no other land.”

Netanyahu noted that he had received “important assistance” from Jordan and had had good conversations with King Abdullah II, as well as President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who also offered aid. “Perhaps something good will come of this disaster,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu appeared intent on dousing the flames of anger that the fire has lit in the Israeli public. He made no mention of the attempted arson attacks by Arabs in the past three days.