Massive Fire Erupts at Carmel Waste Site, Disrupting Traffic

A large fire broke out on Saturday night at a waste site near the Druze village of Isfiya in the Carmel region, leading to the closure of several major roads. Twenty firefighting and rescue teams from the coastal district responded, with a command post established under the Haifa station chief. Firefighters are battling intense flames and heavy smoke, working to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby Carmel Park and adjacent neighborhoods. Fire and rescue officials stated that there is no immediate danger to residents, but due to the fire's size, extinguishing efforts are expected to continue for several more hours. In a joint assessment with all relevant authorities, and for the safety and health of residents, a decision was made for residents of the western neighborhood of Isfiya to shelter in their homes. The police have closed several roads in the area, including the Demon Junction and Al-Joud Junction in Isfiya, and Aba Hushi Road towards Demon Junction. Those wishing to reach Isfiya are advised to enter from the direction of Eliakim, via Daliyat al-Karmel. Residents of the western neighborhood are asked to avoid leaving their homes towards the incident site to keep access routes clear for emergency forces. Police are urging the public to avoid the area, follow instructions from security and rescue forces, and use navigation apps to find alternative routes, ensuring clear access for safe and efficient operations.