Fire breaks out in northern Israel, leads to electricity shortages

JULY 27, 2021 17:17

Bathers evacuated by a police boat due to a fire just north of the Kinneret, July 27th 2021. (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESMAN) — Bathers evacuated by a police boat due to a fire just north of the Kinneret, July 27th 2021.

(photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESMAN)

A fire broke out on Tuesday morning near the Ko'akh junction on Road 90, just south of Kiryat Shmona.

seen from the central Golan, a fire in northern Israel somewhere an hour ago pic.twitter.com/WLwsLwPTIW
— Seth Frantzman (@sfrantzman) July 27, 2021

The fire was probably caused by flares that the IDF shot overnight, KAN noted, after receiving an indication that there had been an infiltration from Lebanon.

The fire has so far damaged electricity lines leading to electricity shortages in Kiryat Shmona and surrounding towns.

Highway 90 has been blocked off from Mahanyaim junction to the north, while route 899 has been blocked off from Yesha junction to the south.

At 4:15 PM, Israeli media announced that Highway 90 opened up for traffic.

Firefighters prepare to battle flames just north of the Kinneret, July 27th, 2021. (Credit: FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY NORTHERN DIVISION)

Another fire has reportedly broken out near the Arik bridge just north of the Kinneret. Bathers at the Jordan river were evacuated, and heavy traffic delays were reported in the area.

10 firefighting teams and planes are at the site, according to the Fire and Rescue Spokesman.

The spokesman said that the fire has been advancing eastward on Highway 87. The fire also spread to a site just east of the town Almagor. Firefighters are trying to prevent damage to nearby greenhouses and orchards.

Highway 87 has been blocked from the Beit Tzeida junction to the Kfar Nahum junction in both directions, police said. In addition, Route 8277 has been blocked from the Vered HaGalil junction to the Almagor junction in both directions.

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