Wildfires in Israel

Fueled by dry conditions and high winds, a series of wildfires in late November had burned over 2,000 acres of land in across Israel as of press time. Only minor injuries had been reported.

On Nov. 24, more than 80,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, as fires moved into the city limits. Most were able to return the next day, as firefighters had the fire under control. On Nov. 25, a fire in the West Bank settlement of Halamish forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes.

Israeli officials believe that most of the fires were set deliberately, and at least 22 people were arrested on suspicion of arson.