Israel’s Worst Fire Destroys Homes, Forest; Cause Unknown

The worst fire in Israel’s history raged on both sides of the main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Sunday, destroying homes and businesses, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people and reducing thousands of acres of forest to smoldering ashes.

With the nation’s attention riveted on the fire as it tore through forested hills west of Jerusalem, hundreds of firefighters from across Israel rushed to the scene to dump water from helicopters on the flames. Police were investigating both arson and negligence as possible causes. Arson has been used as a form of political protest in the region.

Israelis take great pride in their forests, most of which have been planted since the state was founded in 1948, often with donations of money and trees from Jews living abroad. Tall pines line the hills leading to Jerusalem, and the small communities that are dotted throughout the trees are considered desirable places to live.

By early afternoon, fueled by high winds and unseasonably high temperatures, the fire had burned a six-mile-long swath from Bet Shemesh to Shoresh, a cooperative farming community. As flames approached, residents were evacuated from the cluster of towns in the forest. By nightfall, 25 of Shoresh’s 50 homes had been destroyed.

Nearly two dozen people had been treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries at Jerusalem hospitals. Police closed the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway until late Sunday evening.

Forestry officials said that at least 4,000 acres of trees were destroyed and estimated that it would cost at least $15 million and take 20 years to restore the damaged areas.