Arson believed behind Golan blaze
Firefighters contain major fire in northern Israel after more than five hours
Firefighters managed to contain a Golan Heights blaze Saturday, with officials saying it may have been caused by arson.
"At this time, we discounted the possibility that it was a result of hiker negligence…we estimate that it was arson," said local firefighter chief Yair Elkayam.
Fire caused explosion of landmines (Avihu Shapira)
The major fire erupted Saturday in the southern Golan Heights, near Moshav Had Nes, setting off landmines. Fifteen fire-fighting units and two fire extinguishing planes were dispatched to the scene and worked to put out the flames.
Nearby roads were closed to traffic due to heavy smoke and police asked hikers to avoid the area. Dozens of visitors were also evacuated from Brichat Hameshushim (The Hexagon Pool), located nearby.
"It is a large fire, and firefighting teams are working alongside Jewish National Fund and Nature and Parks Authority supervisors in an effort to contain the flames," Elkayam said earlier, adding that "fire extinguishing planes are on standby."
"We decided to evacuate the visitors from Brichat Hameshushim due to its proximity to the center of the fire," he said.
The fire consumed some 2,000 dunams of wild brush and grazing land; no injuries were reported.
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