In contrast to California’s devastation back in January, Israel managed to handle one of the largest wildfires in its history this week without significant structural damage.
According to reports from Breitbart News, the fire near Jerusalem scorched over 5,000 acres. Thankfully, firefighters were able to “miraculously” keep the flames away from homes and buildings, resulting in no fatalities.
While one firefighting engine was lost and several individuals required hospital treatment for injuries, the situation could have been far worse.
Both regions experienced similar conditions: strong winds, dry weather, and highly flammable brush. Evacuations occurred on major roads, with some drivers forced to leave their vehicles to ensure their safety.
Yet, the outcomes could not have been more different. A member of the Israeli firefighting team, who also worked during the California fire, explained to Breitbart News that the key was “preparation, fuel breaks, and 163 engines supported from the air.”
The California firefighters, facing insufficient resources, were hampered by budget cuts that prevented the Los Angeles Fire Department from deploying engines in advance.
While strong winds hindered aerial support in both fires, the winds in Israel were somewhat less intense, allowing for some modifications to aircraft to better suit the conditions.
Israel also quickly engaged the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to assist in firefighting efforts. Luck may have played a role in the outcome as well. “Wildfires teach us to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best,” noted one Israeli firefighter.
The cause of the fire in Israel remains under investigation. Three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of arson, although there are indications that a hiker might have inadvertently started the blaze on Wednesday.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News; Breitbart News Sunday airs on Sirius XM Patriot from 7pm to 10pm (4pm to 7pm). He is the author of Trump 2.0: The most dramatic “first 100 days” in presidential history now available on Amazon Kindle. He also wrote Trump’s Virtue: Lessons and Legacy of President Donald Trump available on Audible. He won the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship and can be followed on Twitter @joelpollak.
