KKL-JNF is a leader in putting down forest fires, using professional equipment and training its staff for the task.
As noted above, this year's fire season saw 443 forest fires, in contrast to 840 forest fires that broke out in 2021, and 1020 forest fires in 2020. In terms of land acres, it is a decrease of 70%, with this year seeing 4.5 thousand acres of forestland burned down, in contrast to 15 thousand acres of forestland burned down in 2021. In addition, the success in preventing about half of the fires is explained by KKL-JNF as a result of the different units charged with monitoring small fires, and neutralizing them before they spread. For example, the observation team, which consists of a special supervising team in KKL-JNF working to find forest hazards using innovative technological means.
The observation team include 6 members using a unique technological equipment which allows to spot hazards as arsons, fire-balloons, vandalism and other criminal activities in the forests. The team works day and night, and succeeds in spotting hazard from a distance of 20-30 kilometers. The equipment includes "Barn Owls" – a special observation system based on an aerial unit equipped with thermic cameras, which allows 360-degree observation during the day and the night. In addition, "Flagpoles" – an observation system based on lifting systems also equipped with cameras, including IR lighting and drones, that supply backup to law-enforcement teams working in KKL-JNF fields and help saving people on the regular basis.
Other than technology, KKL-JNF also sets barriers along main roads in areas used for travel and recreation, along main ridge lines and especially in the borders that separate forests and towns.
Dr. Gilad Ostrovsky, KKL-JNF Chief Forester: "The setup and maintenance of barriers for fire prevention are a high priority in the workplan for 2023. We are now at the final stages of preparing the 2023 Fire Prevention Plan, which includes a completion of almost all the barriers around towns all over the country and at the beginning of several years of completing the barriers in the forests."
Rami Zaritzki, who is in charge of emergency fire protection in KKL-JNF: "The KKL-JNF Fire Array began the 2022 fire season in mid-April in the southern region and in early May in the central and northern regions, with the season ending on November 30. The KKL-JNF teams worked hard and were on high alert every day, including weekends and holidays – and for this, I extend my gratitude. The fire array uses unique technological means to spot and identify fires from long ranges. After spotting, land and air forces are directed to the fire areas. In one of the fires that broke out this year, the drones have also managed to spot an arsonist, who was caught by the police."
"In preparation for the 2023 summer fire season, the KKL-JNF teams are preparing themselves during the winter with training, equipment and more. In addition, we expect six new firefighting vehicles to join the array, as well as mobile firefighting tools for trucks, new means to spot and identify fires for the observation team, and professional training for the managers. We hope to succeed in bringing the number of forest fires even further down."