Israel fire services warn of rising wildfire threat driven by climate
Iain Hoey
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Authority says more funding is needed to respond to larger and longer wildfires
The Times of Israel has reported that a senior official in the Israel National Fire and Rescue Authority has called for a doubling of the organisation’s resources in response to escalating wildfire threats linked to climate change.
Deputy Commissioner Shay Levy, who heads the authority’s Fire Research Branch, said Israel is already experiencing extreme fire behaviour, with longer durations and increased frequency of large-scale blazes.
He said: “We need more of everything.”
Levy explained that Israel faces specific challenges, including a rapid increase in temperatures and deliberate acts of arson.
He spoke following two major wildfires in the hills west of Jerusalem in April, which together burned 20,000 dunams and forced evacuations.
The authority warned that if large fires were to erupt in multiple locations at once, the current system may not cope.
Local councils say fire prevention is underfunded
The Times of Israel reported that most of the areas evacuated during last month’s fires are located within the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, which claimed that it receives no regular state funding for fire prevention measures.
A council spokesman said local leadership had been forced to allocate its own funds to cover prevention activities in 57 communities.
He said: “Roughly a year ago, we were told that Kisalon and Srigim were the most at risk of fire. We tried, unsuccessfully, to secure the funds. Now, after the fires, they gave us the money, and the head of the regional authority has ordered the works to start.”
The spokesman said the council had repeatedly requested rehabilitation funds after large fires in 2016, 2019 and 2021, but received less than requested each time.
Similar issues were reported by the Hof Carmel Regional Authority, which covers northern areas affected by previous wildfires.
Fire incidents highlight fragmented national response structure
The Times of Israel stated that last week’s fires broke out near Moshav Mesilat Zion and are still under investigation.
The area where the fire began is near a forest managed by the KKL-JNF Jewish National Fund, revealing an administrative divide over land responsibilities.
The Times of Israel reported that forests and open areas in Israel are split between the KKL-JNF and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, with each unable to operate on the other’s land.
In rural areas, regional councils can only provide funding for prevention but are not authorised to conduct physical work inside villages.
In major fire events, additional bodies such as the IDF, police, and several ministries become involved, raising concerns about coordination.
Levy said: “The coordination is good, but still needs to be improved as we enter an era of mega-fires.”
Public awareness and prevention efforts continue across Israel
According to The Times of Israel, the Fire and Rescue Authority operates a forum of 16 organisations that meet twice yearly to improve coordination.
Levy, who manages the forum, said it has published safety guidance for residents, including installing smoke detectors, pruning low branches, and clearing flammable materials.
He noted a recent awareness project carried out in partnership with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority at the site of the 2010 Carmel fire memorial, which includes a fire prevention trail.
Levy also spoke following a multi-site fire and rescue exercise simulating wildfires in Haifa, Nesher, and the Carmel coastal area.
He said officers work with local communities throughout the year, including preparing reports on fire risk and necessary preventive measures.
Levy added: “The work with the communities is slowly improving.”
He acknowledged that some residents oppose vegetation thinning due to concerns about natural preservation.
Israel fire services warn of rising wildfire threat driven by climate: Summary
The Times of Israel reported that a senior fire official called for Israel’s fire services budget to be doubled in response to worsening wildfire risks.
The comments followed wildfires west of Jerusalem that burned 20,000 dunams and led to evacuations.
Deputy Commissioner Shay Levy said Israel is a climate hotspot and faces unique challenges, including nationalist arson.
The Mateh Yehuda Regional Council said it receives no consistent fire prevention funding from the state.
Previous requests for emergency and rehabilitation funding were only partially met after fires in 2016, 2019 and 2021.
Similar issues were reported by the Hof Carmel Regional Authority.
Levy noted that fire management is divided across multiple national and regional organisations.
He said coordination needs improvement, especially during simultaneous major fire events.
The Fire and Rescue Authority coordinates a multi-agency forum that issues public guidance on fire safety.
Levy highlighted ongoing education and prevention work in partnership with local communities.
He cited examples including a fire prevention trail and district-level officer engagement.
