Forest Fires

Fire in Jerusalem Forest threatens nearby homes

Firefighters battling forest fire near Shlomo Tzemach Street; nine firefighting teams and two pairs of planes at the scene.

Arson suspected:

Over 190 fires erupt across Israel amid extreme heatwave

Major fires erupt near Shfaram, Ben Shemen Forest, and Ramat Hashofet; authorities suspect some fires may have been deliberately set.

KKL reveals:

The Jerusalem hills following the massive wildfire

Drone footage shows the extent of the destruction caused by the massive wildfires in the Jerusalem area and central Israel.

Ben Shemen Forest:

Two Israeli Arabs arrested for suspected arson

Two Israeli Arabs from Jerusalem were arrested near the forest in central Israel for allegedly attempting to start a fire.

Firefighters gain control over Judean Plains wildfire

After over a day of battling the flames, the wildfire in the Judean Plane is under control. Forests and fields in the area were severely damaged.

Netanyahu:

War has a primary goal: Victory over our enemies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reveals Israel is holding 18 individuals suspected of arson terror. 'Our neighbors who claim that they love this land - speak of burning the land.'

Fire and Rescue spox:

If winds pick up, it could take us back to step one

Israel Fire and Rescue Services Spokesperson Fire Deputy Chief Tal Volbovitz spoke to Arutz Sheva about the possibility that locations that were already extinguished could reignite due to the wind.

Heritage Minister: Widespread fires caused by arson terror

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu slams 'whitewashing of the arson phenomenon,' blames official sources for ignoring intentional arson terror attacks.

Incitement on social media:

'Go out and burn the forests - for Gaza'

Calls for set fire to Israel's forests and settlements circulating on Palestinian Arab social media groups.

Police contradict Netanyahu: 18 people weren't arrested for arson

Only three people, not 18, detained for suspected arson attacks, police say.

Fire Services Commander:

'This may be the largest fire in Israel’s history'

Exactly one week after a massive forest fire left over 10,000 dunams scorched, forest fire reignites in five locations, encouraged by strong winds. Fire and Rescue Service calls in all forces nationally.

Arson wave:

Firefighters put out flames – suspects arrested

Two fires that broke out near communities in the center and south were quickly extinguished thanks to the rapid action of fire brigades. Two suspects were arrested in Beit Keshet and Rosh HaAyin.

Deri demands:

'Eliminate any terrorist who starts a fire'

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri calls on the Prime Minister to activate the IDF against the arsonists, who he says should be treated the same as armed terrorists.

Shin Bet involved in investigation of massive fires

3 arrested on suspicion of arson as massive fires rage in the Jerusalem Hills area, causing evacuations and the cancellation of Independence Day events.

Watch:

IDF drops fire retardant on Jerusalem Hills blazes

Huge fires are raging in the Jerusalem Hills area. The IDF is dropping fire reytardant from the air, and planes from European countries are expected to arrive tonight. 12 firefighters were lightly injured

Forest fires mostly contained, battle to extinguish them ongoing

At least 10,000 dunams burned in Judea; fire contained but not yet extinguished.

Second day in a row: Multiple fires in central Israel

Beit Shemesh fire reignites, firefighters battle multiple new blazes in central Israel.

Wildfires near Jerusalem

Firefighting efforts continue, residents allowed to return home

Large-scale fires rage near Jerusalem. Residents of evacuated communities permitted to return to their homes. Firefighters working to contain the blaze. Border Police officer moderately injured, three firefighters sustain minor injuries.

Central Israel wildfires

PM Netanyahu at forward command post: 'Do not come here'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the fire management forward command post overseeing the firefighting efforts and explained their goals.

Biblical Zoo, Israel Aquarium evacuated due to forest fire

Animals moved to safe zones as visitors removed from sites due to fire in Ein Lavan Spring area.

Montana blaze bigger than 300 football fields

As fire season causes havoc across the US, a new forest fire in Montana spreads out of control.

Huge forest fire blazes near Beit Shemesh

Eight firefighting teams work to bring flames under control.

Forest fire causes evacuation of Jerusalem school, homes

1 person hospitalized from smoke inhalation from blaze which threatened homes, school in Kiryat Menachem neighborhood.

New national plan to prevent massive blazes

Plan focuses on "dangers posed by climate change that is expected to lead to worse blazes in coming years."

Forest fire breaks out in northern Israeli city

Residents evacuated after fire breaks out in forest in city of Ma'alot-Tarshiha, east of Nahariya.

Fire blazes in the Jerusalem mountains

Eight firefighting teams and two firefighting planes are working to extinguish the flames.

Woman arrested after fire breaks out in Jerusalem mountains

Eighteen firefighting teams are working to extinguish blaze in Jerusalem-area forest.

Poems of the Great Fire

Massive forest fires raged in Israel during August. Israeli poet Eliaz Cohen wrote "The entire Jewish story ablaze again at once." Poem.

Arson? NASA satellite reveals origins of Jerusalem forest fire

Fire broke out in three separate places, four kilometers apart. Findings strengthen assumption that the fire was a result of arson.

Police arrest two youths suspected of arson

Two teens arrested on suspicion of setting fire to several locations in Jerusalem.

Fire Commissioner: 'Fire broke out as a result of human actions'

Firefighting commander expresses optimism, says fire is not currently spreading but there is 'more work' to do.

'We hope to contain the fire in the morning and afternoon'

Prime Minister Bennett visits the command center near the wildfire in the Jerusalem hills.

Metzuda winery went up in flames on very day of grape harvest

Haredi manager Eli Bash: "This was G-d's will, and no amount of planes or fire fighters could change that."

Assessment: Arson caused the massive forest fire

Containment efforts to continue throughout night. Around 10,000 residents have been evacuated.

Watch: 42 dead as wildfires engulf Algeria

Forest fires in Algeria killed 42 people, including 25 soldiers, as authorities blamed arsonists for the destruction.

Congresswoman blamed deadly fire on Rothschild Inc, space lasers

Newly-unearthed social media posts by Georgia congresswoman show she accused 'Zionist supremacists' of seeking to replace white Americans.

4,000 dunam burned in north

About 4,000 dunam of natural planted forest up in flames in Churchill Forest near Nof Hagalil. JNF estimates fire erupted as result of arson

Incendiary balloons spark fire in Kissufim forest

Incendiary balloons spark several fires in Kissufim Forest. Firefighters, Nature & Parks Authority, KKL, and IDF, working to control flames.

Watch: The fire in Ben Shemen Forest

Route 443 is still blocked to traffic, but there are no more active fires in Ben Shemen Forest and nearby Mevo Modi'im.

Watch: Volunteers extinguish forest fire caused by burning trash

In Mishmar Hanegev forest, KKL workers, foresters, extinguish Tuesday night fire caused by burning trash - and it's not the first time.

California: Jewish camp forced to evacuate due to forest fires

A day after officials give the camp an 'all clear,' backfires force evacuation.

Balloon terror: Extensive damage caused to southern forests

Five fires reportedly raging at points in Beeri and Kissufim forests in southern Israel.

Destroyed California Jewish summer camp finds home for 2018

Camp Newman, destroyed in California wildfires, finds temporary home for next year.

Jewish summer camp destroyed in California forest fire

Camp Newman, used by Jewish community in San Francisco Bay Area, wiped out as forest fires rip through northern California.

Forest fire kills dozens in central Portugal

At least 24 people have reportedly been killed and more injured by a massive forest fire in central Portugal.

One week later: Firefighters resume normal work routine

Fire and Rescue Commission lifts state of emergency, firefighters to resume normal work as of Tuesday.

Netanyahu thanks Abbas for firefighting assistance

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanks PA chairman for sending firefighters to assist in extinguishing the fires in Israel.

Huge fire breaks out near Jerusalem

Residents of the community of Nataf evacuated due to a huge fire in the Jerusalem Hills.

Arab world celebrates fires in Israel

“Israel is burning” becomes a popular hashtag on Twitter as Arabs rejoice in Israel's fires.

Supertanker arrives in Israel

The largest aerial firefighting aircraft in the world can carry up to 19,600 gallons of retardant or water.

PA sends firetrucks to assist Israel

Israel accepts offer of help from the PA to join the international effort to extinguish the fires that have broken out this week.

Judea deforestation: Fire prevention, or timber plundering?

Thousands of trees surrounding Jewish towns cut down this week, raising ire of residents. Authorities claim intention is to prevent fires.

Firefighters struggle against enormous fire near Beit Shemesh

Fire outside of Luzit has reportedly burned 700 dunams of forestry to the ground.

Couple suspected of causing forest fire with improvised BBQ

Couple from southern Israel under suspicion of damaging tens of thousands of square meters with their improvised barbecue.

Five years on, revisiting the Carmel Fire; what have we learned?

Many people are still not aware of the damage of throwing a cigarette out the window, or forgetting to properly smother a campfire.

Wildfire Destroys 750 Acres in Golan Heights

Three fires broke out Friday in the Golan Heights following a lightning strike. The largest, hitting Gamla, was extinguished in 12 hours.

Saved from the Fire 'By a Miracle at the Last Moment'

Jerusalem resident recalls harrowing experience with the massive forest fire this week that nearly burned down his home.

Group Fights Against Terrorist Arsonists

With the arrival of hot weather in Israel, arson – the destruction of Israel's forests by terrorists – has once again reared its ugly head.