Besides the heavy damage to the natural forest, no injuries or other damage were reported.
By UDI SHAHAMUpdated: OCTOBER 29, 2017 02:03Forest fire on Har Eitan, next to Jerusalem.(photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Some 200 hectares (almost 500 acres) were burned in forest fires on Mount Eitan next to Jerusalem over the weekend.The fires broke out Thursday evening and were extinguished completely on Saturday morning. Besides the heavy damage to the forest, no injuries or other damage was reported.During the 48 hours of fires, 30 Fire and Rescue Services vehicles operated, along with several Jewish National Fund fire engines. Firefighters on the grounds were assisted by eight light airplanes, which conducted more than a hundred sorties.A Fire and Rescue Services spokesman told The Jerusalem Post that on Sunday it will open an inquiry to find out how the fire was ignited.Fire Chief Dedi Simhi, who was on scene, praised the firefighters for dealing with the large-scale blaze in “tough topographic conditions.“I am glad that this event ended with no injuries or damage to possessions,” he said.
