Foto Friday – Parks, Recreation and Firefighting

July 30, 2010 - 5:33 PM by

It’s only Friday and already Sunday’s massive forest fire has all but disappeared from the headlines. To recap: about 450 acres of forest (this figure according to the Keren Kayemet Leyisrael -Jewish National Fund) in the Ora-Aminadav area went up in flames.

The fire started at two separate points. 100 KKL-JNR staff, nine fire trucks and five firefighting aircraft participated in the extensive operation. The fire spread towards nearby Hadassah Hospital where 23 vehicles in the hospital parking area were burned.

Roads were blocked for hours and some Ora and Aminadav residents were evacuated but returned during the night after the fire was successfully controlled and put out. All in all, it could have been much worse. One month earlier on June 29, the country experienced its most severe wave of fires since 2008. Which was the worst since 2006. And so on.

Like many arid regions, Israel’s hot, dry summer weather is an easy target for wildfires set both by accident and on purpose. KKL-JNF has become increasingly vigilant about protecting Israel’s forests, stating that it invests more than $5 million annually in fighting forest and field fires. This includes maintenance and operation of 22 firefighting vehicles with off-road capabilities, dozens of fire fighters on duty 24/7, communications systems and 30 fire watchtowers — also manned ’round the clock.

KKL-JNF also operates a forest fire risk forecast service, co-manages an aerial firefighting fund, conducts forest fire investigations and implements their conclusions. Because afforestation is what they do. Over the past 100-plus years, KKL-JNF has planted more than 200 million trees covering over 225,000 acres of land. So there is every hope that the Aminadav trail – seen here in its pre-fire state – will be that way again one day.

In addition to planting trees and protecting them from fire, KKL-JNF also develops regional parks and recreation areas, restores historical sites, rehabilitates springs and rivers, and builds roads and trails for hiking and biking. If you can’t get to Israel right away, there’s plenty to see on their YouTube channel, like this movie about the Ilanot Forest, a wheelchair accessible park and “Tree Museum”.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , • Category: Environment, Foto Friday, General, History and Culture, Israeliness, Life, Picture of the Week, Travel 

Comments

One Comment on Foto Friday – Parks, Recreation and Firefighting

  1. Israël – Malgré tout, ils fleurissent le Néguev, par David Koskas | Espace détente, poésie, judaïsme et lutte contre la désinformation on Tue, Mar 1st 2011 1:52 PM

    2. [...] Foto Friday – Parks, Recreation and Firefighting July 30, 2010 – 5:33 PM by Rachel Neiman · Leave a Comment Filed under: Environment, Foto Friday, General, History and Culture, Israeliness, Life, Picture of the Week, Travel [...]

Leave a Comment





© 2012 ISRAELITY | Site by illuminea | Sitemap