Israel Forest Fire 2010
Israel Forest Fire 2010
Does it give you goose bumps when you hear the siren of your town fire truck? Does it make your eyes pop hearing about a fire building up nearby?
Mt. Carmel is found north of Israel and south of Haifa. A significant landmark mentioned and read in the bible and was referred to as a symbol of beauty and fertility. 11:00 local time to be accurate an adverse event happened known today as “The Carmel Disaster”. December 2, 2013, alarming news broke out, a forest fire occurred that consuming mostly the Mediterranean Forest which covers the region. The fire spread quickly claiming 44 innocent lives including police officers and officer cadets of the town. To what has been initially reported as a result of global warming after the investigations it has been found out to be a result of an oblivious human activity. Aside from the fatalities that had been recorded, 17 thousand people were compelled to evacuate. To add insult to injury, a massive wave of arsons preceded after the fire. Moreover, it also caused immense environmental damage.
Looking back in history, this is not the first time that Mt. Carmel had been in a serious forest fire case. In 1989, a huge forest fire occurred, devastating hundreds of acres of forest. It is without a doubt how the fire ran quickly that resulted to an enormous damage of lives ad properties since the forest is comprised of mostly Aleppo pine trees that easily ignites. Israel had been experiencing unpredictable weather changes that resulted to an unusual hot weather that dried up the land which also contributed to the quick spreading of the fire.
More than 9 thousand acres of the forest were accounted to have been destroyed by the wide forest fire. A staggering number of 1.5 million trees turned into ashes because of the fire. In order to extinguish the fire, Israel Defense Forces sent two (2) battalions in order to put off the fire. As a result of this the government of Israel implemented a new law to battle forest fire.
Most of the time, the people are obliged to think critically and discern things carefully. Man was created in the image and likeness of God. Human beings were classified as the highest form of animals because of their cognizance and mind to think and distinguish what is right from wrong. There could’ve been no lives and properties shattered if it weren’t for the unmindful and heedless act of other people.
Don’t let this diverse natural endowment be put to waste. Think wisely and take in consideration the future of the coming generation, of your family and of your children. Do not deprive them on witnessing and give them the opportunity to lay their eyes on this exquisite work of God. Mt. Carmel is one of the remaining trademarks and a constant reminder of God’s love and nature’s abundance to the people. Let Mt. Carmel be a symbol of beauty and fertility for the rest of everyone’s lives.