Northern Israel: Between the Rockets and the Flames - My Video Report
The wildfire-scarred Biriya Forest near Tzfat in northern Israel is stark testament to the extent of the war's damage to the ecosystem
Northern Israel: Between the Rockets and Flames: On a Jewish National Fund (JNF) - Keren Kayemet L'Israel (KKL) press tour of the wildfire-scarred Biriya Forest near Tzfat in northern Israel, reporter Dave Bender met with officials and international media to learn the extent of the war's damage to the ecosystem:
"KKL – JNF sites and forests affected in the northern region: Biriya Forest, Naftali Mountains Forest (Ramim Ridge), Nabi Yusha Keren Naftali Forest, Bar'am Forest, Meron Forest, Rosh Hanikra Forest (Sulam Ridge), Kahal/Ammiad Forest, Katzrin Forest in the Golan Heights, Daliot Forest, Salukia Springs, Hanita (Matzuba) Forest.
"KKL - JNF's firefighting service includes 26 fire trucks and 300 KKL - JNF employees who engage in firefighting in addition to their professional roles. The service actively participates in extinguishing forest fires across the country.
"Since the war began, approximately 20,000 dunams of forest area in the north have burned due to enemy ammunition explosions and debris. KKL - JNF estimates that once all areas (currently declared military zones) are reached, the damage will be even greater. KKL - JNF's firefighting system operates in full cooperation with the security forces, police, IDF, local authorities, emergency squads, fire and rescue services, and the Nature and Parks Authority (RTG).
"Besides the damage to the flora in KKL - JNF forests in the north, there has been significant harm to the wildlife, including bird populations. While adult birds can save themselves and fly to other nesting places, chicks that cannot yet fly are burned in the nest. Additionally, due to the fires, many reptiles whose nests are intact struggle to find food.
"Cattle and sheep herds in the forests are managed by KKL - JNF's grazing unit, established to address the dramatic increase in the number of fires in recent years. The herds in KKL - JNF's open areas feed on flammable shrubbery, which prevents about 80% of fires in these areas. However, due to the damage and danger in the area (pregnant cows that miscarried, herds dispersing and disappearing, and animals burning), an alternative grazing solution was needed. KKL provided assistance such as mobile enclosures and fences."
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