Mount Carmel forest fire (1989)
Encyclopedia
The Mount Carmel forest fire was a forest fire
that occurred between 19 and 22 September 1989 on Mount Carmel
in northern Israel
and was one of the largest forest fires in Israel, the largest being the Mount Carmel forest fire of 2010
.
The fire extended over 6000 dunam (1,500 acres), of which 3200 dunam (790 acres) were natural forest areas of Aleppo pine
which were part of the Carmel National Park and Nature Reserve, causing considerable damage to the flora and wild life.
, although such suspicions were never confirmed. Initially the fire spread west towards the Denya neighbourhood of Haifa and the University of Haifa
. Later, when the wind direction changed at night time, the fire moved southwest towards the "Little Switzerland" area (so called for its resemblance to the landscapes of Switzerland
) in the Caramel National Park, Kibbutz Beit Oren
and the Damun prison facility, completely destroying nearby breeding and reacclimation
centers. In the evening of September 20 the fire's intensity finally decreased significantly and was gradually extinguished, the fire finally put out on September 22.
142 firefighters of the Israel Fire and Rescue Services
took part in the event using 64 fire trucks
. They were assisted by 250 IDF soldiers, Agricultural aircraft
s, volunteers of the Jewish National Fund
and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, as well as police, Municipality of Haifa and MDA
forces. Most of the extinguishing operations focused on stabilizing the fire and preveting it from spreading further.
. About 3200 dunam (790 acres) were of natural forest areas, which caused considerable damage to the flora and wild life. The fire killed a significant portion of the animals who used to live in the region. A herd of Roe Deer
perished completely in the flames as did 18 Wild goat
s. In addition, some reptiles such as turtles failed to escape the fire.
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
that occurred between 19 and 22 September 1989 on Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel ; , Kármēlos; , Kurmul or جبل مار إلياس Jabal Mar Elyas 'Mount Saint Elias') is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. Archaeologists have discovered ancient wine and oil presses at various locations on Mt. Carmel...
in northern Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and was one of the largest forest fires in Israel, the largest being the Mount Carmel forest fire of 2010
Mount Carmel forest fire (2010)
The Mount Carmel forest fire was a deadly forest fire that started on Mount Carmel in northern Israel, just south of Haifa. The fire began at about 11:00 local time on 2 December 2010, and spread quickly, consuming much of the Mediterranean forest covering the region...
.
The fire extended over 6000 dunam (1,500 acres), of which 3200 dunam (790 acres) were natural forest areas of Aleppo pine
Aleppo Pine
Pinus halepensis, commonly known as the Aleppo Pine, is a pine native to the Mediterranean region. Their range extends from Morocco and Spain north to southern France, Italy and Croatia, and east to Greece and northern Tunisia, and Libya, with an outlying population in Syria, Lebanon, southern...
which were part of the Carmel National Park and Nature Reserve, causing considerable damage to the flora and wild life.
Causes
The weather conditions at the start of the fire were a 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 degrees Fahrenheit), 28% humidity and eastern winds of 30-35 mph. The weather conditions and mountainous topography of the area increased both the speed at which the fire spread and its intensity, making it difficult to extinguish.Extinguishing the fire
The fire broke out around 11:00AM on the morning of 19 September 1989 in a number of locations far apart from each other. The eruption of the fire in multiple locations led many to suspect that the fire was a result of arsonArson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
, although such suspicions were never confirmed. Initially the fire spread west towards the Denya neighbourhood of Haifa and the University of Haifa
University of Haifa
The University of Haifa is a university in Haifa, Israel.The University of Haifa was founded in 1963 by Haifa mayor Abba Hushi, to operate under the academic auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem....
. Later, when the wind direction changed at night time, the fire moved southwest towards the "Little Switzerland" area (so called for its resemblance to the landscapes of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
) in the Caramel National Park, Kibbutz Beit Oren
Beit Oren
Beit Oren is a kibbutz in northern Israel. It falls under the jurisdiction of Hof HaCarmel Regional Council.-Geography:Kibbutz Beit Oren is located in the heart of Carmel mountain range, right next to the Carmel Nature Reserve national park, an area often called "little Switzerland".-History:In...
and the Damun prison facility, completely destroying nearby breeding and reacclimation
Reintroduction
Reintroduction is the deliberate release of a species into the wild in zones formerly inhabited by said species but where it has disappeared from for a number of reasons, from captivity or relocated from other areas where the species still survives in...
centers. In the evening of September 20 the fire's intensity finally decreased significantly and was gradually extinguished, the fire finally put out on September 22.
142 firefighters of the Israel Fire and Rescue Services
Israel Fire and Rescue Services
The Israel Fire and Rescue Services is the Israeli state organization for fire fighting and rescuing. The organisation also provides rescue services from terror attacks, car accident and dangerous substance spillages, along with Magen David Adom, the National EMS. They are also involved in public...
took part in the event using 64 fire trucks
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
. They were assisted by 250 IDF soldiers, Agricultural aircraft
Agricultural aircraft
An agricultural aircraft is an aircraft that has been built or converted for agricultural use - usually aerial application of pesticides or fertilizer ; in these roles they are referred to as "crop dusters" or "top dressers"...
s, volunteers of the Jewish National Fund
Jewish National Fund
The Jewish National Fund was founded in 1901 to buy and develop land in Ottoman Palestine for Jewish settlement. The JNF is a quasi-governmental, non-profit organisation...
and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, as well as police, Municipality of Haifa and MDA
Magen David Adom
The Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. The name means "Red Star of David"...
forces. Most of the extinguishing operations focused on stabilizing the fire and preveting it from spreading further.
Environmental and property damage
Six firefighters and several volunteers were injured in the fire, although the main damage was caused to the ecosystemEcosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
. About 3200 dunam (790 acres) were of natural forest areas, which caused considerable damage to the flora and wild life. The fire killed a significant portion of the animals who used to live in the region. A herd of Roe Deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
perished completely in the flames as did 18 Wild goat
Wild Goat
The wild goat is a widespread species of goat, with a distribution ranging from Europe and Asia Minor to central Asia and the Middle East. It is the ancestor of the domestic goat.-Social structure:...
s. In addition, some reptiles such as turtles failed to escape the fire.
External links
- Post-Fire Recovery of an East Mediterranean Aleppo Pine Forest Ecosystem - published on September 1996