Less than two hours into the holiday of Lag B’Omer and firefighters from around the region have been called to a massive fire that broke out in the Ramot Forest northwest of Jerusalem.
The catalyst for the blaze was a bonfire that was lit outside of the specified and permitted area. In spite of the many warnings issued by the Fire Department and the City of Jerusalem not to light bonfires outside of specified areas or in close proximity to forested areas, houses, thorns, or apartment buildings, dozens of such fires were lit across the city, according to a spokesperson from the Fire Department.
One of these fires ignited a large fire that has begun rapidly spreading towards the Ramot Forest. Residents of the area have been evacuated from the immediate vicinity of the flames and firefighters have begun combatting the blaze in an attempt to control it and put it out.
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Mevaseret, a town not too far away from the Ramot Forest, issued a warning to all residents prohibiting the lighting of any bonfires anywhere in the city or its outskirts. The municipality attached a fine of 495 NIS to anyone caught lighting a bonfire or attending one.
Earlier, a large brush fire was burning in the Mevasseret Tzion area of the Jerusalem Corridor.
The fire began on Wednesday afternoon, with an initial response of five fire trucks from the Beit Shemesh station. The Motza exit on the highway in the westward direction was closed and police were rerouting motorists.
According to the scene fire commander, Fire Department Superintendent Zechariah Refael, the fire is significant in size are now efforts are concentrating on controlling it, to prevent it from spreading. Firefighting planes have already been called in to assist in containing and extinguishing the fire.
Weather conditions are unfortunately ideal for the fire to spread easily, as it has been hot and dry in recent days, with temperatures in Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon reaching 34C (94F). This has the fire department most concerned as Thursday’s forecast, Lag B’Omer, calls for ‘sharav’ heat-wave conditions, with temperatures possibly reaching the high 90sF.
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(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
Sorry to hear about this unfortunate occurrence. Generally, throughout Jerusalem and most of the country, people followed Fire Dept. instructions. In one neighborhood, concerned residents complained to the city about enormous piles of wood, etc. being readied for igniting on Lag Ba’Omer night. The city sent over a truck with a crane that promptly dismantled most of it. Later I heard that this was going on all over Jerusalem, and probably elsewhere as well. I don’t think anyone’s celebration was diminished if their bonfire was only 4 feet tall instead of 12 or more feet tall. Baruch Hashem — for the most part — common sense prevailed!