Unexpected blazes interrupted the observation of Memorial Day and Independence Day in Samaria.
On Memorial Day, the Israel Dog Unit, along with Fire and Rescue Service firefighters from the Ariel station and hundreds of volunteers from nearby towns, rushed to stop a fire that broke out near an Israeli homestead overlooking Tapuach Junction.
As the homestead does not yet have developed water infrastructure, the volunteers fought the fire with fire extinguishers, fire beaters, and other portable equipment, eventually bringing it under control without loss of life or damage to the homestead.
On Thursday, observed as an early Independence Day in Israel this year, another fire broke out in a residential area of the Samaria town Kfar Tapauch. The volunteers joined the Fire and Rescue Service, Israel Police, MDA, IDF, and local civilian emergency squads in fighting the fire.
Along with fighting the fire directly, the volunteers operated drones with night vision capabilities to give situational awareness to the ground firefighting and rescue forces.
An Israel Dog Unit spokesman commented, "Our volunteers have been fully prepared to respond to any incident in light of the recent threats by terrorists in nearby villages to 'set the region on fire.' We will use our best efforts to help the Fire and Rescue service, volunteer organizations, and homesteaders should a threat arise."