Carmel fire approaches Usfiya

Wildfire that killed 41 people continues to rage, approaches outskirts of northern Druze town; residents instructed to evacuate homes

Ynet reporters|Published: 12.04.10 , 11:02

The huge wildfire raging in the Carmel hills is approaching residential areas in Usfiya, Ynet reported Saturday morning.

Residents of the northern Druze town who live near the main road were instructed to clear their shops, while others evacuated their houses. "People are screaming; they are afraid the fire will destroy the homes and stores," one resident said.

Locals were seen cutting down trees near the residential area in an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading into the town.

Some of them stayed behind to help firefighting crews. The head of Usfiya Council estimated that the blaze was approximately 40 meters (about 130 feet) away from the town's residential area.

As of Saturday morning, the fire's strongest points were reported near Ein Hod, Nir Etzion, and the Carmel Forest Spa Resort.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the fire's 41 victims have all been identified. The woodland inferno, which erupted on Thursday, reached Ein Hod, Nir Etzion and Yemin Orad overnight, causing severe damage to property. The fire also spread to the Hai-Bar nature reserve, whose animals were evacuated.

Police suspect that many of the latest blazes were set by arsonists, this after Saturday morning saw fires breaking out near the Bedouin village of Basmat Tabun.

Special firefighting aircraft from Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Britain dumped sea water and flame retardant on the fire Saturday morning. A special plane from Russia, which is capable of holding up to 42,000 liters of water, also went into action on Saturday.

A total of 30 aircraft are set to be utilized in the efforts to contain the blaze throughout the day.

The blaze has claimed the lives of at least 41 people. Thirty-nine bodies have been identified so far. Five of those who were injured in the blaze, including Haifa Police Chief Ahuva Tomer, remain hospitalized.