This month we mark the anniversary of the last great fire in the Jerusalem mountains. Despite the time that has passed, in practice the land is still partly charred, the animals have not yet returned to the area, and the many efforts to restore nature continue.
Harel Ben Shahar, Deputy Director of the Central District of the Nature and Parks Authority told us about the state of the forest and noted the conclusions and lessons learned so far from the many fires that have occurred in the area.
"The fire in the Jerusalem mountains was extensive and was part of a number of large fires that the place experienced, which caused intense damage in nature reserves and national parks."
Ben Shahar further added that "these fires also damaged the KKL forests, some of which were planted about a hundred years ago and burned completely."
"25 thousand dunams were completely burned."
The Jerusalem Mountains, Photo: The Public Forum
The latest fire started as a result of arson which spread at a rapid rate due to the strong winds in the area.
The ground firefighting forces in the Jerusalem district have great difficulty extinguishing forest fires of this type, with an emphasis on burning tops.
It must be understood that in these areas, most of the operations converge on aerial extinguishing which is very limited in Israel (both in the amount of aircraft and in the amount of water that each plane can carry in its belly).
Another method of extinguishing is the creation of buffer lines within the ignition in an attempt to control the rate of spread and thus extinguish more favorable areas.
Although in the area of the last fire there were buffer lines that were prepared in advance, mainly in the shell of the settlements near the forest, but even in such cases it is not always possible to prevent the fire from spreading through the buffer, and sometimes you even see that the fire jumps hundreds of meters from one focus to another.
Maj. Gen. Matan Vilnai, president of the Foundation for the Preservation of Nature and Heritage in Israel, which raised funds for the restoration of the forests, tells about the latest fire and says that "the fires, which occurred last year outside my house, in Moshav Tzemach, painted the areas black, many animals including the donkeys, the deer and the hyenas, which did not perished in the fire, suffered the destruction of their habitats. The nests of the birds, the porcupines, the turtles, the tracks, the parking lots and the visitors' corners in the 25 thousand dunams were completely burned."
A Vilnai who raised funds for the restoration of the forest also calls on businessmen to continue contributing to the restoration of the area and says: "I call first and foremost to the businessmen, take social responsibility."
"Take social responsibility".
Vilnius on a tour of the fire area, photo: The Public Forum
Travel, but with utmost caution
In the shadow of the many fires in the area, the question arises as to whether it is now safe to travel in the Jerusalem mountains in the summer and how one should drive.
Ben Shahar said that "it is possible to travel, but the safety instructions must be obeyed, especially in the summer. Today there are still potholes in the area, as well as trees that were partially burned and can still pose a danger of collapse. You must listen to the instructions of the fire commissioner who issued an order on lighting fires in the open areas. Now it is forbidden to light "Fire in places that can cause a fire such as forests. Hookahs and cigarettes can also start a fire quickly, plus a wind will mix the fire - all lighting a fire is a potential for fire."
The Deputy Director of the Central District of the Nature and Parks Authority adds that they have increased the forces in the field and in the places essential for the breeding of the animals, such as in the springs and habitats.
He also added that the goal is to try and let the charred areas rehabilitate themselves as quickly as possible.
"Let nature restore itself."
A rash at the site of the fire. Photo: The Public Forum
"In addition to the activities of the Nature and Parks Authority, the Foundation for the Preservation of Nature and Heritage in Israel also granted an emergency budget that helped us install fences and barriers in places that we do not want travelers to pass through in order for the area to be restored. In addition, they also helped us to install signage, as well as to demarcate paths to define exactly where people can go And where not, this is to facilitate the change in the field.
Since the fire, the seed bank in the ground has been damaged, the first layer that contains all the ecological value has been burned, and the preference is that the fewer people enter the area, the more it will be possible to reduce the damage potential," said Ben Shahar.
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