Jerusalem, 8 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman warned of deficiencies in the fire service’s emergency preparedness in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
Englman called the Memorial Day and Independence Day fire a “wake-up call” and stressed that “the Fire Authority cannot face the challenge alone.” The letter added that Israel narrowly avoided a greater disaster than the Carmel Forest Fire of 2010, in which 50,000 dunams (50 sq. km) of land was consumed.
Ahead of the Lag B’Omer holiday and expected extreme weather, Israeli officials announced a complete ban on lighting fires in forests, parking lots, and open areas across the country, with fires only allowed in designated areas.
Lag B’Omer marks the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a 2nd century sage whose works continue to serve as the foundation of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism. Jews around the world traditionally celebrate his life with with bonfires.
The holiday begins at sundown on May 15.