Fire Contained at Tel Dan Nature Reserve After Evacuations

Seven firefighting teams, supported by aircraft and additional forces, battled a blaze that erupted in the Tel Dan Nature Reserve during the holiday. Tourists were quickly evacuated from the area by Israel Nature and Parks Authority rangers. The firefighting efforts involved aircraft from the "Elad" squadron, teams from the Nature and Parks Authority and the Jewish National Fund, as well as emergency response squads from nearby communities. These squads operated tractors in the field. After many hours of fighting the flames, the fire was brought under control. Firefighters were expected to continue extinguishing efforts into the night. The incident commander, Chief Fire Officer Gadi Azulai, stated, "The fire spread due to the reserve's riparian vegetation and the wind. Thanks to the close cooperation between all forces on the ground, aircraft from the 'Elad' squadron, the Nature and Parks Authority, the Jewish National Fund, and the emergency squads, we managed to contain the fire and minimize damage to the nature reserve." Firefighting operations are ongoing.