Massive Fire Near Alon Moreh Prompts Airplane Deployment for Firefighting

A large wildfire broke out on Thursday at the Derech Avraham farm near the settlement of Alon Moreh in the West Bank's Samaria region. Firefighters from the Samaria district are actively battling the extensive blaze, which is spreading rapidly across difficult terrain. Due to significant challenges in accessing the fire by ground crews, authorities deployed two firefighting aircraft from the "Elad" squadron to assist in containment efforts.

The Israel Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson for the Judea and Samaria district confirmed the ongoing operation, highlighting the extensive fire line and the necessity of aerial support alongside ground teams. The decision to use aircraft was based on an assessment of the terrain and weather conditions, which have complicated ground access to all fire zones.

The Alon Moreh area has recently experienced multiple fires, largely attributed to hot and dry weather. Just months ago, firefighting forces faced a similar large blaze near Mount Bracha and Givat Ronen, where aerial firefighting support was also deployed. As of the latest updates, crews continue working to prevent the fire from spreading to additional locations with the help of the planes.