About a day has passed since fires broke out in several locations in the Jerusalem Mountains area.
More than 120 fire and rescue teams, in cooperation with the IDF and the police, continue to work today (Thursday) to extinguish the fire, amid fears that the expected strong winds will fan the flames.
With the assistance of firefighting aircraft, the firefighting forces are focusing on 6 main sectors: Burma Road, Eshtaol, the Forest of the Martyrs, Canada Park, Shaar Hagai, Shoresh and the entrances to Neve Ilan and Naft.
There is a significant effort being made by the IDF and the Home Front Command to create buffer lines using heavy anti-aircraft weapons that will help protect the communities from the spread of the fire.
So far, the KKL-JNF estimates that approximately 20,000 dunams of open space have burned, of which approximately 13,000 dunams are forest areas. Over half of the forest area that burned belongs to Canada Park, which was hit hardest by the wave of fires.
Contrary to the impression that is being created, as if there was some terrible oversight and funds were cut in vain, the authorities' performance in extinguishing the fire, from the heroic firefighters, volunteers, organizations to the authorities and the government, was fast, efficient, and professional. Disaster was averted and a return to normalcy was swift.
14:40 - Commentator: The operation was fast, efficient, and professional. Disaster was averted and a return to normalcy was quick.
Matti Tochfeld from Israel Hayom commented: "Contrary to the impression they are trying to create, as if there was some terrible oversight here and funds were cut in vain, the authorities' performance in extinguishing the fire, from the heroic firefighters, volunteers, organizations to the authorities and the government, was fast, efficient, and professional. Disaster was averted and the return to normalcy was swift.".
13:40 - The foreign aircraft coming to assist - land at the Hatzor Air Force Base.
The foreign aircraft arriving in Israel to help extinguish the fire are landing at the Hazor Air Force Base starting in the early afternoon and will assist in extinguishing the fire under the guidance of the Fire and Rescue Authority.
12:15 - The Commissioner instructed to work towards the rapid return of all evacuated residents.
After hearing the recommendations of the various agencies, the Commissioner directed the forces to work towards the rapid return of all residents who were evacuated from their homes last night due to the fire in the Mateh Yehuda area. The Commissioner praised the cooperation of all aid agencies.
""Israel Police officers, together with emergency and rescue personnel and other agencies, have worked with dedication and determination over the past 24 hours, with the goal of saving human lives. The forces, who have been working bravely for many hours, will continue to work continuously until all residents return quickly and safely to their homes and return to normal.".
12:05 - Aid planes on their way to Israel
A Croatian CL-415 firefighting plane is on its way to Israel and Italian CL-415 planes are also on their way to Israel, but due to the distance they will make a stopover in Cyprus.
11:50 - After assessing the situation: It was decided to return all evacuated residents to their homes.
After assessing the situation of all parties, it was decided to return the evacuated residents to their homes.
09:10 - After a situation assessment: Residents of Mevo Horon were allowed to return to their homes
Following a situation assessment led by the commander of the Shi'ite District, Chief Moshe Pinchi, and following the recommendations of the Fire and Rescue Department and emergency and success factors, it was decided to return the residents of the Mevo Horon settlement to their homes.
09:00 - A special team is investigating the fires.
The Air Force continues today to assist in firefighting efforts, with firefighting teams and fire engines operating in parallel with the "Shimshon" aircraft that operated throughout the night and dropped more than 95 fire-fighting charges in an effort to extinguish the fires. The Air Force Intelligence Unit established a special collection team that investigated the fire sites.
07:50 - Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Commander: "The main concern is that towards noon the winds will increase and the fire will return""
Corporal Shmulik Friedman, commander of the Jerusalem Fire and Rescue District, said in an interview with Reshet B: "There are still dozens of active hotspots, at least until Saturday we will have to continue working. The planes that were ordered from abroad will be able to assist in the work. The main concern is that towards noon the winds will increase and the fire will return.".
Join the Haredim 10 Facebook page >>
Join the X page of Haredim 10 >>
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
