According to Commissioner Caspi, "the order is intended to reduce harm to lives and property, and it is the result of understanding the deep responsibility and dangers involved in fires burning within the urban space. The short-term order is issued in balanced consideration of members of the public who wish to celebrate and the need to keep the public, nature and the environment safe. I call the public to act responsibly and celebrate while obeying safety instructions."
The order forbids lighting bonfire, including starting fire in open fields, and it is valid all throughout Israel, 24 hours a day, in all areas other than those prepared by municipalities for the purpose of lighting bonfires in collaboration with the National Fire and Rescue Authority. In addition, it sets the permitted size of a bonfire, which is not lit within a hole in the ground, to be no more than 1.5 meters above the ground.
Regional commanders or their representatives can authorize in writing the lighting of fire that does not meet the conditions specified in the order, as long as proper safety precautions are taken.
The order is valid all throughout Israel from May 7, 2023 at 08:00 to May 10, 2023.
The Commissioner's decision was issued following a professional estimate of proper handling of tens of thousand of bonfires burning during the Lag B'Omer holiday, with the goal of avoiding large fires and danger to human lives.
Over the past few years, fire commissioners have issued orders that limit lighting fires during the holiday, and these orders were welcomed by the municipalities, that had to deal with the sometimes-destructive nature of the fires.
Many municipalities prepare specific safe spaces for bonfires that are available to the public, while at the same time holding alternative activities of small bonfires that are less dangerous.
It should be noted that each year, dozens of children are harmed during the holiday and require medical care due to failure to meet safety standards. The order is aimed at reducing harm to people and property, and at the same time celebrate the holiday for those who wish to do so.
Additional details are available on the authority's website and its Facebook page.