Israel’s top fire official, Chief Fire Officer Eyal Caspi, has issued an urgent directive prohibiting all bonfires and outdoor flames throughout Israel, citing unusually high temperatures and dry conditions that dramatically raise the danger of widespread blazes.
This sweeping restriction will be enforced beginning Thursday and will extend through Shabbos, May 18. It includes Lag Ba’omer festivities and covers all open-air locations. The order forbids bonfires, the burning of garden debris, and any maintenance or construction work that could generate sparks or flames.
The Fire and Rescue Authority cautioned that Israel is facing an intense heatwave in the coming days, which creates a hazardous environment where even a small flame could trigger fast-moving fires in fields, forests, and wooded areas.
However, the directive makes exceptions for cooking in approved areas. Fire use is still allowed in designated barbecue zones and other spots specifically cleared and sanctioned by municipalities, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, or Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), provided these areas have received prior approval from the Fire and Rescue Authority.
Officials are also warning the public to exercise caution and refrain from leaving behind flammable materials — such as cigarette butts, coals, or any other fire-prone waste — in outdoor settings.
{Matzav.com Israel}
The Tziyonim will shut down all the streets where they’re planning to make hadlokos.
Why should one unelected official have so much power to cancel ALL bonfires? We common people can argue whether banning bonfires is a good thing or a conspiracy, but at least we can argue. This one person says “no” and seemingly everyone has to listen without comment!?
Oy, what will be with all the yeshies that come from the Hadlukes??? We need yeshies!!!!