National Fire and Rescue Commissioner Dedy Simhi has signed an order that prohibits lighting fires in open areas across the country, including in parks and forests of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrale-Jewish National Fund.
The decision was reached at the conclusion of a situation assessment during which the authority examined statistics of the unusual weather patterns for the coming days, which are characterized by a severe to extreme heatwave and conditions that can trigger and spread fires.
The order is effective from Thursday, September 3, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020, from 07:00 to 21:00, in the following areas and under the following conditions:
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In all nature reserves, forests and bushland, and anywhere flammable vegetation grows, as well as in any demarcated built-up area, fires are banned, including in adjacent areas within a 500-meter radius.
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Despite the aforementioned in Article A above, technical works that can trigger open flames or incineration in an open area are permitted, provided the works are carried out at a distance of more than 20 meters from the forest, bushland or flammable vegetation, and the person in charge of conducting the works or anyone acting on his behalf will take all the necessary precuations to prevent conflagrations from occurring and spreading. Accordingly, those measures should be at the very minimum those stated in Ordinance 6 regarding ready supplies of water, sand and any other firefighting measures in a reasonable amount.
According to Fire and Rescue Department Commissioner Dedy Simchi, "The purpose of the order is to reduce as much as possible the chance of unnecessary harm to human life and property, by understanding the full responsibility and environmental repercussions that are involved in lighting fire in open areas. The citizens are being asked to take responsibility and follow theses life-saving safety instructions. Together, we'll work to maintain a fire-free leisure culture and raise public awareness of the risks involved in setting fires and the need for responsible conduct in nature."
KKL-JNF forbids the lighting of fires in all of its forests and parks! In case of fire, alert the Fire and Rescue Services by dialing 102.