Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund’s board of directors has approved a 13 million shekel, or $4.4 million, assistance program to help 94 communities near forests in central Israel purchase wildfire response equipment.
The initiative, called “Shield for the Forest,” is intended to strengthen local communities’ ability to respond during the critical first minutes of a wildfire, before Israel Fire and Rescue Services crews arrive.
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Amid rising wildfire threat, KKL-JNF to invest NIS 13 million to safeguard 94 forest-adjacent communities
(Photo: Shlomi Amsalem, KKL-JNF Photo Archive)
KKL-JNF’s Central Region includes about 440,000 dunams, or 109,000 acres, of planted forest, stretching from Yokneam and Zikhron Yaakov in the north to Beit Guvrin in the south. In recent years, the region has faced a growing number of increasingly severe wildfires, alongside security challenges affecting communities in northern and southern Israel.
The trend, worsened in part by climate change, poses a threat to nearby communities, critical infrastructure and large forested areas.
Amid rising wildfire threat, KKL-JNF to invest NIS 13 million to safeguard 94 forest-adjacent communities
(Photo: Shlomi Amsalem, KKL-JNF Photo Archive)
Under the program, participating local authorities will receive dedicated funding to buy equipment and tools for an initial wildfire response. Seventy-three communities will receive 150,000 shekels each, while 21 others will receive 100,000 shekels.
The eligible communities were selected based on several factors, including proximity to forests, overlap with forested areas, fire risk assessments conducted by Israel Fire and Rescue Services, and each community’s wildfire history over the past five years.
Amid rising wildfire threat, KKL-JNF to invest NIS 13 million to safeguard 94 forest-adjacent communities
(Photo: Shlomi Amsalem, KKL-JNF Photo Archive)
Israel Fire and Rescue Services is officially responsible for firefighting in the country. KKL-JNF said it plays a central supporting role in wildfire prevention and emergency response across Israel’s forests and open spaces, using its knowledge of the terrain and specialized equipment.
“In a forest fire, the first few minutes are critical,” KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky said. “Our goal is to ensure that the communities bordering Israel’s forests have the tools they need to respond quickly, reduce damage, and help protect lives, homes, and the forests themselves. This is a direct investment in the safety of residents and in preserving Israel’s open landscapes.”