The Besor Stream fire
Photo: Gilad Gabai, Nature and Park Authority
Multiple conflagrations break out across Israel due to heat wave, winds
Blaze in Besor Stream nature reserves consumes 6,000 dunam, kills multiple indigenous animals; large fire in Bareket region necessitates evacuation of Givat Ko'ach moshav residents; Elad-area fire disrupts incoming, outgoing flights at Ben Gurion Airport.
A serious heat wave swept across Israel Friday, setting off multiple fires in its wake. One fire almost completely obliterated the Besor Stream nature reserve, spreading over 6,000 dunam (6 square kilometers) and killing many of the reserve's animals, while causing others to flee.
The most significant damage, however, was done to the Besor reserve. The fire, which initially began Thursday afternoon and died out, erupted again Friday due to high winds, with firefighting teams attempting to stem its progress.
A second fire in a field of thorns started between the Bareket Forest and the central region moshav of Givat Ko'ach. Residents on the moshav's eastern side were asked to evacuate, with additional firefighting aircrafts being called in to extinguish the flames.
Footage from Friday's multiple conflagrations
Other blazes erupted in the Sorek Stream, in the Yarkonim region in the center and by a railway near Lehavim, in the south.
Firefighting aircraft combating flames near Givat Ko'ach (Photo: Eli Batzri)
The Nature and Parks Authority said the fire left immense damage in its wake, consuming both vegetation and animals. The reserve is home to reptiles, foxes, wolves, hyenas and various birds of prey.
The Besor Stream fire (צילום: גלעד גבאי רשות הטבע והגנים)
Head of the authority's southern district Gilad Gabai said that the blaze was still raging, and that fire teams were on the scene. "The fire came at a very bad time," Gabai added, "with high winds alongside high temperatures. Both nature and animal habitats were seriously damaged."
The Besor reserve was almost completely consumed by the flames (Photo: Gilad Gabai, Nature and Park Authority)
"The reserve has a channel used for cover by animals, and it was burned to a cinder," he added ruefully.
Fire teams are also active nearby in the region between Sharuhen and the Besor body of water, in the direction of Tze'elim. Winds are pushing the fire towards Eshkol Park, while firefighters are attempting to shield the natural reserve.
Ben Gurion Airport disruptions
The fires also caused delays in outgoing flights at Ben Gurion Airport for a time, with a fire in the vicinity of Elad disrupting flight schedules.
Fifteen fire crews, assisted by four aircrafts, worked to put out the fire between Bareket and Givat Ko'ach. The fire began to spread due to winds, endangering nearby structures.
Meanwhile, Israel's largest airport diverted both incoming and outgoing flights due to the firefighting aircrafts' activities, with the control tower fitting in flights in the time frame between each firefighting sortie.
(Photo: Eli Batzri)
Five fire teams were called in from Petah Tikva and elsewhere in the central district to put out a fire in the Yarkonim region, which spread towards a junkyard and a storage facility near Highway 5.
Roads nearby were closed to traffic by police, but later reopened. Police remained on the scene to direct traffic.
A fire also broke out near train tracks in Lehavim, prompting the closure of train operations from Kiryat Gat to Be'er Sheva under orders of the firefighting service.
The Besor Stream blaze (Photo: Gilad Gabai, Nature and Park Authority)
Four fire crews from stations in Beit Shemesh worked to put out a forest fire that broke out in several locations near the Sorek Stream. Nearby communities and army bases were said to not be in danger.
Multiple conflagration points were noted across the country (Photo: Shaul Golan)
Due to the heat wave and powerful easterly winds, a representative of Israel's firefighting service called on the public to avoid lighting fires in any form, including welding work or burning foliage.
Due to the winds, the official warned, any small fire can quickly spread out and cause damage.
