Firefighters Face Enormous Blazes and Rocket Strikes with Heroic Efforts

After a relentless night battling wildfires, Israeli firefighters faced new challenges as Hezbollah rockets sparked more blazes on Tuesday. In temperatures soaring up to 93°F/34°C, crews worked tirelessly to control the flames.

“When you combine this with shells and bombs that explode, it starts all these wildfires. You don’t need much for that. Most of the damage was to green areas, and a few buildings, mostly warehouses,” Eddi Aharonoff, spokesperson for the Fire Brigade, explained.

Israeli firefighters, uniquely tasked with "fighting fire under fire," face dangers not typically encountered by their counterparts worldwide. This perilous reality was starkly evident on October 7, when 11 firefighters lost their lives in the south. Now, similar threats loom in the north, where crews cannot always directly engage with fires due to the risk of Hezbollah attacks.

Equipped with rifles, pistols, and protective gear from the army and police, these brave individuals tackle fires under extreme conditions. Aharonoff detailed the risks: "When you’re going to extinguish a fire, the temperature can get to 200 or 300 degrees. This can detonate the bullets. You’re actually carrying an explosive in your pocket while fighting the fire. That can be extremely dangerous for our people."

Despite the danger, firefighters have yet to engage in direct combat while battling blazes. Commanders prioritize safety, ensuring that operations do not expose crews to undue risk.

The environmental impact of these fires is severe. The Biriya and Keren Naftali forests saw some of the worst blazes, with seven civilians treated for smoke inhalation. Fires in Kiryat Shmona and nearby communities were eventually brought under control, but the damage was extensive.

Farmers, already struggling with labor shortages and restricted access to fields, now face significant agricultural losses. Amit Cohen, manager of Kibbutz Malkia’s orchards, described the devastation: "In Kibbutz Malkia alone, 30 dunams [7 acres] of apple orchards and 30 dunams of a wine vineyard burned, along with over 4,000 dunams [488 acres] of pasture lands for cattle."

Cohen expressed determination amidst the heartbreak: "The sight of burnt fruit and vineyards on fire breaks our hearts but we must be strong, because we still have a long way to go. We will put out the fire and try to save the remaining fruit for the sake of the food security of the citizens of Israel."

Efforts to protect other areas were successful, with flames kept at bay from Metula, Kibbutz Amiad, Moshav Margaliot, Moshav Kahal, and Mount Adir. In the Golan, fires near Katzrin and Keren Naftali were fought back, with blazes sparked as far west as Shlomi and as far south as Kibbutz Mevo Hama.

Aharonoff emphasized the environmental toll: "We already lost around 4,000 acres of green land in the north. It will take dozens of years to repair this damage. This comes with the tragedy of thousands of people who were forced to evacuate."

Approximately 60,000 Israelis in northern communities evacuated in October due to daily rocket and drone attacks from Hezbollah. The Iran-backed terror group's ongoing assaults have killed 10 civilians and 14 soldiers since October 7. Israeli officials are urging the disarmament of Hezbollah, calling for their removal from Southern Lebanon in line with UN Security Council resolution 1701.

Israeli firefighters embody courage and resilience, fighting not just flames but the very threats to their homeland. Their bravery is a testament to the spirit of Israel, steadfast in the face of adversity.

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