Israel Orders Waste Site Closure After Two Fires Cause Air Pollution

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has issued an administrative order against "Yehuda Caravan" company and its managers following two fires at a waste transfer station in the Naham industrial zone within less than a week. The most recent fire, which broke out last Thursday, lasted for an extended period and caused smoke and odor nuisances across Beit Shemesh and the Mateh Yehuda communities. According to the ministry, the site operators failed to report the fire to the environmental hotline as required by their permit. During an inspection by ministry officials and the "Shorak" regional air quality unit, waste piles up to four meters high were found, containing household waste prohibited at the station. Smoldering was observed in the southwestern part of the complex while trucks continued to enter.

Air monitoring tests in the area, including near a schoolyard and in Moshav Naham, revealed high concentrations of respirable particles. The administrative order mandates the site management to immediately cease the burning and extinguish all fires within 72 hours. They must also fully clear all waste and excess soil from the site to authorized destinations within two weeks of the fire department's approval of the extinguishment, to prevent future occurrences. Furthermore, the company must submit bi-weekly reports on waste quantities and destinations and a detailed report investigating the causes of the fires, preventative measures taken, and steps to prevent recurrence.

Shuni Goldberger, Director of the Jerusalem District of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, stated that the district will utilize all administrative and legal means to remove the hazard. "We will not allow environmental neglect that harms the quality of life and health of the residents of Beit Shemesh and Mateh Yehuda. Fires at a waste site operating illegally and in violation of its conditions, causing air pollution and odor nuisances, are a red line. The district is acting decisively and will exhaust all administrative and legal measures at its disposal until the hazard is completely removed," Goldberger said.