KKL-JNF Pledges $5 Million to Improve Firefighting Resources in Northern Israel

As fires continue to ravage northern Israel due to ongoing Hezbollah rocket strikes from Lebanon, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) has pledged significant financial support to bolster firefighting efforts. In a recent announcement, KKL-JNF revealed a total aid package of 19.1 million shekels ($5.15 million) aimed at helping frontline communities protect homes, wildlife, and forests from the devastation caused by falling rockets.

The aid will be distributed across 55 communities near KKL-JNF-managed forests and open areas. Around 13.6 million shekels ($3.67 million) will be allocated to 19 communities adjacent to KKL-JNF forests, while 5.5 million shekels (nearly $1.5 million) will go to 36 other communities near open spaces. Some communities will also receive additional firefighting equipment, such as specialized ATVs, to help battle the fires more effectively.

Since the start of the conflict in October, roughly 150,000 dunams (37,000 acres) have been scorched in the Golan Heights, Upper Galilee, and Lower Galilee regions. Of these, 25,000 dunams (6,000 acres) are KKL-JNF-managed forests. The ongoing fighting and intense summer heat have made these areas highly vulnerable to blazes, marking the most extensive damage northern Israel has seen in recent years. For comparison, only 7,000 dunams (1,700 acres) were burned during the Second Lebanon War.

KKL-JNF is working closely with Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services, using advanced technology, including drones and cameras, to monitor fires across wide areas. These systems allow firefighting teams to respond quickly, minimizing the impact on communities and natural habitats.

Ifat Ovadia-Luski, KKL-JNF’s chairwoman, emphasized the importance of these efforts: “We deeply value and appreciate the firefighting teams who work around the clock to face the numerous fires that directly threaten communities and the natural environment. Our collaboration with local emergency response teams allows us to protect both the communities and the forests.”

This pledge follows KKL-JNF’s earlier announcement of 225 million shekels ($60 million) in emergency aid for local authorities in northern and southern Israel as the conflict continues along the country’s borders.

With KKL-JNF’s support, these communities will have the resources needed to fight the fires and protect the people, animals, and environment that make up northern Israel.

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