Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority has dispatched a team of five fire protection experts to the United States to assist in battling the devastating wildfires sweeping through Southern California.
The delegation includes notable experts such as Shai Levy, a forest fire prevention specialist, and Avi Ben-Zaken, the operations director for the South District. The team is expected to remain in the U.S. for one week.
Experienced Support
The spokeswoman for the Fire and Rescue Authority, Tal Volvovitch, emphasized the team’s readiness to tackle large-scale fires. “We have had wildfires in Israel, though not of the same scale as California, but still significant,” Volvovitch said, referencing the 2016 Haifa fires that destroyed around 600 homes.
She added, “We are now seeing the sheer damage and power fire can cause outside Israel.”
Wildfires Rage Across Los Angeles
Southern California is currently facing critical wildfire threats, with the Eaton and Palisades fires becoming the first and second most destructive fires in the region’s history. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed at least 25 fatalities, with 17 deaths linked to the Eaton Fire and eight to the Palisades Fire.
California’s Firefighting Challenges
Firefighters are contending with strong Santa Ana winds, which are exacerbating the situation. The National Weather Service has issued “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, while a dust and ash advisory affects nearly 17 million residents.
Health officials are urging residents in ash-impacted areas to wear respiratory masks to mitigate health risks.
Shared Climates, Shared Challenges
Both Israel and California share a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and rainy winters, making them prone to recurring wildfires. The shared experiences have enabled Israeli fire experts to bring valuable insights and strategies to assist in California’s battle against the flames.
