Major Carmel wildfire sources have been doused, firefighters say
Netanyahu blocks new foreign fire-fighting missions amid reports that Israeli, international fire-fighting crews are close to dousing the worst wildfire in Israel's history.
By Anshel Pfeffer, Barak Ravid and Ilan Lior Tags: Israel news Israel firePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered to halt the arrival of new foreign fire-fighting aircraft on Sunday, in what could be yet another indication that firefighters were close to gaining control of the Carmel wildfire which has been raging since Thursday.
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Israeli soldiers looking as a plane dumps water over a forest fire on Mount Carmel near the Haifa, Dec. 5, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
The premier's order comes as an apparent acceptance of a Israel Air Force recommendation, according to which the existing fire-fighting force provided the best response to the bushfire, the worst in Israel's history.
That recommendation joined a statement by fire-fighting headquarters, according to which major fire sources have been doused.
Netanyahu's order came after earlier Sunday Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, speaking at a special cabinet meeting, indicated that Israeli forces, along with foreign teams, were close to dousing the Carmel.
Also speaking at that meeting, Netanyahu said that the government was to launch a program to rehabilitate the areas in the Carmel region badly damaged in the fire.
The premier updated cabinet about his efforts to obtain aerial assistance from different countries around the world.
"This is a special type of battle. Unlike ordinary fires, it requires measures different than those usually employed," Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile on Sunday the American supertanker, the "Evergreen" Boeing 747 Super Tanker, took to the skies over the wildfire.
The supertanker carried out two rounds so far, releasing over 40 tons of fire-extinguishing material. Israeli pilots were on board the flight, coordinating the operation.
Israel Air Force Base Nevatim commander told Haaretz that after three days of intensive work by firefighting forces, progress is seen in the Carmel region.
"We now observe mostly smoke on the ground, with fewer sources of fire," the commander said.
Maj. Gen. Ido Nechushtan, commander of the Israel Air Force updated cabinet on the deployment of the international aerial forces, which come ten different countries.
The firefighting forces include 35 aircrafts, 24 of which were provided by other countries. So far, the aircrafts have performed 409 flights in efforts to extinguish the flames, Nechushtan said.
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With tears in our eyes we send our Condolence to the sufferings in the holy land . we are here to help with anything and everything we have . Houston Texas
may be the fire soon controled. like almost always America helps out. The world is coming together and as far as it seems from some net comments Turqia also helped kind off which confirms my judgment about the erdogan guy who might be not a perfect leader. But there are much worst politicians and persons .
Netanyahu, got cold feet & panicked. He requested to bring that Super-Scooper when it was already abundantly clear that the fires were almost under control. He's a man without iron nerves,in what is a minor incident in comparison to a (G-D forbid0 frontal attack by a joint Arab.rocket fire +............ Sorry to say.We now see that you are unfit to rule/govern this small,but complicated land, You are not the one to stand up in time of stress. (You are no Churchill who stood alone at the beginning,taking the Full brunt of Germany's attack on London & the rest of England..Besides you.a) Eli Yishai MUST immediately vacate his seat.& not be allowed to take any position in the Knesset.It is nothing if he's hurt.Israel is much more important than all this petty bickering. b) likewise, Steinitz a complete failure in his present position as Finance Minister. Go ! for heaven sake Go !
That is how it should be, World governemnts and citizens coming together, joining forces, mobilizing resources at times of distress. American leadership and compassion at its best..
Obama spoke a lot, but the US (other than NYC Mayor Bloomberg) provided absolutely NO assistance. The Evergreen tanker is privately owned for which the Government of Israel is paying $200,000 an hour
This supertanker was possibly the most panicked decision I've ever personally seen a head of state make. This thing fights fires in California, and couldn't hope to empty it's tank efficiently on this comparatively-tiny fire. It arrived when the fire was effectively under control, perhaps even extinguished. I wonder how much it's two loads and flight across the Atlantic cost us?
Does not need to drop all of it's retardant i one pass. It is like a multi-door tanker in that respect. It has a pressure ejection system which allows delivery from much higher altitudes than normal fire fighting aircraft. It is equipped with Forward Looking Infra-red Radar which with the higher delivery altitudes allows safer night operations. It essentially is a technology demonstrator. An R&D aircraft.
International and Israeli fire-fighting. Interior minister must resign. Head of fire-fighting service must resign Head of prision service must resign. Whoever send this bus - must resign. Fire-fighting service must be supervised by secularly educated people like in Public Security Ministry. There are almost no such supervisors in religously motivated Interior Ministry.
The Ministry, when it was under Haaretz' own Yossi Sarid repeatedly denied fire brigade requests for more equipment and personnel. Let's put this in the proper perspective. Had he given some of the funds he milked from the Israeli taxpayer for personal gain, equipment would have been available. Now that he has been dumped from government by the Israeli citizenry, he has gone on an anti-State tirade in vengeance
That despite the promises of Soros/Obama, there was no US assistance provided to Israel. That after Soros/Obama promised "Lebanon" (AKA Hezbollah) was assured they will receive US$100m in weapons to fight the Jewish State
Everyone in the aviation community understands EXACTLY what Evergreen is and who it works for. Your rant continues to be published even though it is a lie.