Israel's firefighting chief said on Tuesday that the massive wildfire near Jerusalem was for the most part under control.
Speaking to Ynet, Fire and Rescue Services Chief Dedi Simchi said there were still some local hotspots, but with dozens of teams deployed on the ground and aircraft assisting the efforts above, he expected the "remaining flames to be extinguished."
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Firefighter battles remaining ambers in a Jerusalem area forest on Tuesday
(Photo: Matanel Boshri)
Simchi warned however that flames could reignite later in the day due to strong dry winds.
At least 20,000 dunams (nearly 5,000 acres) of land went up in smoke since the fires broke out on Sunday, damaging homes, farms, and other property and forcing thousands of local residents to evacuate.
Most locals have since been allowed to return home, but residents of Kibbutz Tzova and Moshav Giv'at Ye'arim were told to stay away for the time being due to poor air quality in the area.
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Flames near the Eitanim psychiatric hospital in the woods outside Jerusalem on Monday
(Photo: Israel Nature and Parks Authority )
An unnamed firefighting source said that the service was unprepared for the scope of fires that resumed Monday. "The fire was not out," he said. "We did not rotate crews and our command seemed to have buckled. I don't understand how anyone was surprised when the flames reignited because of the wind," he said.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke with his Greek counterpart on Monday, who said he would do everything possible to help. The Foreign Ministry has also appealed to the neighboring island nation of Cyprus — which has agreed to help in firefighting efforts — as well as Italy, France and Croatia. Kan Public Radio reported on Tuesday that discussions were also underway with Jordan.
First published: 09:32, 08.17.21