SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXXI

Jerusalem, Israel

THE MOUNT CARMEL FIRE

The inferno that raged in Israel’s Mount Carmel’s forest region in December 2010 was the worst fire disaster Israel has experienced since its founding as a modern state. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Norway, Turkey and Jordan sent firefighters, planes, and fire retardant to Israel to stop the blaze.

The fire was reportedly started by several Druze teenagers in the village of Isifiya who were negligent in putting out a small blaze where they had been smoking. Other blazes were started by arsonists later on. The fire raged out of control because for nearly ten months there was little or no rain in Israel, in addition to six previous years of below average rain fall. The forest was a tinder box ready to explode and the fire leaped from village to mountain top, making it impossible to control for at least four days.

The facts of the fire’s damage are staggering: A bus carrying Israeli prison guards was engulfed in the flames, and only a few made it out alive. A Haifa police commander, who thought one of her colleagues was on the bus, drove to the site, hit a fire wall, and incurred burns over most of her body. She died several days later. A 16 year old boy left school and ran to rescue his friends and died in the fire, as did several fighter fighters and volunteers.

Reports indicate that 44 people died as a result of the fire; 75-100 homes were destroyed; and, 35,000 dunams of trees burned, about a third of the Carmel forest. The cost of repair, including re-forestation, is expected to total billions of shekels. Many Israelis were displaced, and moved into hotels or stayed with friends and relatives. Some citizens are now receiving a small stipend from the government to pay for expenses, hopefully, until they are compensated for damages, and can re-build. Israelis want to re-build quickly and get on with their lives.

Yemin Orde, a youth village, was partially damaged in the fire. Bet Oren, a small kibbutz in the north, was at the epicenter of the fire. At least 15 buildings were destroyed there, including many apartments. In Ein Hod, an artist village nestled among the once beautiful trees of the Carmel region, several homes and book stores were burned to the ground.

Walking through Ein Hod it was obvious to this writer that some residents living there had been influenced by Eastern religions. It appeared that the artists had created idols for sale. One house, in particular, has been completely burned down. Many idols were sitting around the property, which was now only filled with ashes. On other properties, partially damaged by the fire, idols were laying on the ground, cracked and burned.

Many nations came to Israel’s rescue during the fire, even countries that had strained relations with the Jewish State. The general public was humiliated because Israel had to depend on other nations for help. Israeli citizens take pride in Israel being a “first responder” to other countries in times of crisis.

During the Second Lebanon War, Israel incurred damage in the north of the country, due to Hezbollah’s rockets exploding in the forests; and, due to fires started by arsonists. A subsequent report determined that Israel did not have enough equipment or staff to control a major fire. However, nothing was done to upgrade Israel’s fire and rescue services. When the Carmel fire erupted, Israel was understaffed, ill-equipped, and under-financed for such a major disaster. Was the Carmel fire a wake-up call to the Israeli government during peaceful times of what could happen during a future time of war?

PRAYER POINTS:

• Intercede according to Deuteronomy 4:23-36.

• Read Joel 2:30-32, and pray that Israelis would heed the words of the prophet, repent, and call on the name of the Lord.

• Acknowledging Malachi Chapters 3 and 4; 1 Kings 18:19-21; and 1 Kings 18:36-39, entreat the Lord on Israel’s behalf, praying its citizens would cry out to the Lord with one voice, turn from their idols, and seek Him above all. May the Spirit of Elijah prepare the way of the Lord on Mount Carmel and in all of Israel.

• It is Israel’s destiny to be a “light to the nations.” But, until the land is cleansed from iniquity, Israelis will have to lean on those people God provides, to aid and rescue them in their afflictions. As Israel mourns the death of loved ones lost in this devastating fire, pray that the Lord will pour out His Spirit of grace and supplication upon His chosen people. (See Zechariah 12:10).

• Pray according to 2 Chronicles 7:14, that Israelis will humble themselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from evil ways. May the Lord hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land!