The Israel Fire Department Chief, Dedi Simchi, published an order using his authority under the law barring bonfires around Israel on Lag B’Omer that do not comply with the order of the day, dated Wednesday, 17 Iyar. The ban goes into effect on Wednesday, 17 Iyar at 3:00PM until Thursday, 18 Iyar at 8:00PM. It appears the decision to issue the restrictions are in response to forecasts of unseasonably strong winds on Wednesday night.

Fires permitted must be in a hole or pit and not on or above ground surface.

A fire on the surface:

· Must be at least 300 meters from a forest

· No fire may be lit in a proximity of a forest area

· There must be at least 60 meters between a fire and gas cylinders

· There must be at least 20 meters between the fire and electric and phone lines

· There must be at least 40 meters between a fire and buildings

· At least 6 meters between one fire and another

· The base of the bonfire may not exceed 3 meters materials used to add height may not exceed 1.5 meters from the ground

Fire inside a pit/hole in the ground:

· There must be 300 meters between the fire and a forestry area

· No fire may be lit in a proximity of a forest area

· There must be at least 60 meters between a fire and gas cylinders

· There must be at least 20 meters between the fire and electric and phone lines

· There must be at least 40 meters between a fire and buildings

· At least 6 meters between one fire and another

· The base of the bonfire may not exceed 3 meters materials used to add height may not exceed 1.5 meters from the ground

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)