Fires rage in northern Israel after rocket and drone attacks; key roads closed off

Fires rage in northern Israel after rocket and drone attacks; key roads closed off

TOI 

Fires continue to rage in northern Israel as a result of rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon today.

A number of homes are reported on fire in Kiryat Shmona, with fire teams spread throughout the mostly evacuated city to control the flames.

In Kibbutz Kfar GIladi, north of the city, video shared on social media shows a local security team battling flames encroaching on the community.

Fires are also reported in the Mount Adir and Amiad areas, leading to closures of major roads in the Galilee area. Backup teams are being dispatched from other regions to provide assistance.

Police say forces are “evacuating homes, directing traffic, and conducting scans of various areas while firefighters aided by others are helping douse flames.”

Over 30 firefighting teams battling blazes in the north

The Israel Fire and Rescue Services says over 30 firefighting teams are currently battling the blazes raging in the north, following rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon.

A statement from the fire department stresses there is no current threat to lives or homes, adding it’s “working hard to protect communities and property.”

The fire service says the blazes have raged for over 13 hours, while noting the extreme heatwave currently blanketing the area.

The Israel Defense Forces says that it’s assisting in the firefighting efforts, and that six reservists lightly hurt from smoke inhalation have been taken to a hospital.

Hezbollah rockets spark fires burning 10,000 dunams of open areas in north

Rockets fired by Hezbollah at the north of the country on Sunday caused bushfires that consumed 10,000 dunams of foliage in open areas, including nature reserves, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority said.

Dozens of firefighters worked for hours to gain control of the blaze that was started by a barrage of rockets fired at the town of Katzrin on the Golan Heights and other areas. Some areas were still burning on Monday.

Sharon Levi, director of INPA’s Golan District, told the Ynet news outlet on Monday that the fire had caused damage to the Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve, burning areas that include hiking trails, and the reserve’s Black Canyon.

Though the trails will soon be reopened, it will take the flora a long time to recover, he said.

“A fire of 10,000 dunams (2,471 acres) is a big fire,” Levi said.

Though “nature has the ability to restore,” he added, “the bigger the fire — the slower the restoration.”