Final draft of Carmel forest fire probe handed to officials

Finance Minister reacts to report, calling it ‘ludicrous and baseless in the extreme’

By Aaron Kalman 9 February 2012, 2:57 pm

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Aaron Kalman is a former writer and breaking news editor for the Times of Israel

Eli Yishai (left) and Yuval Steinitz at a hearing about the Carmel fire, February 2010 (photo credit: Abir Sultan / Flash90)

A report on the devastating Carmel forest fire of a year ago was released in final draft form to the government and senior officials Thursday afternoon, and it’s expected to call for measures against government ministers.

Upon reading the report Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz reacted by excoriating it as “ridiculous, and baseless in the extreme,” Yediot Ahronoth reported.

In recent days the Israeli press has reported that Interior Minister Eli Yishai and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz could be held responsible by the State Comptroller, the report’s author, for the disaster, and that a call for their resignation is highly probable. Other officials who may be held to account include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich.

The report will be also be passed on to the Fire and Rescue Services, Police, and Magen David Adom. Recipients will be given three weeks to respond before the final report is publicly released.

Micha Lindenstrauss at a State Control Committee meeting January 02, 2012 (Photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90) — Micha Lindenstrauss at a State Control Committee meeting on January 2, 2012 (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

The report, prepared by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss, explores the problems and failures of the official response during the fire, and provides guidelines for the prevention of such disasters in the future.

According to Army Radio, the report has six main sections, which relate to the country’s readiness to fight a major fire before this particular outbreak; the first day of the fire; preventive measures to be taken against forest fires; Fire and Rescue Services; and the respective responsibilities of local authorities and of the government.

Charred trees on the slopes of the Carmel mountain, shortly after the fire (photo credit: Hadas Parush / Flash90) — Charred trees on the slopes of the Carmel mountain, shortly after the fire (photo credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90)

Arutz Sheva reported last week that Yishai was preparing a legal defense and had filed a complaint against the State Comptroller with the Supreme Court.

The Carmel forest fire started on December 2, 2010, and is the deadliest fire in Israel’s history. During the fire thousands of acres of natural forest were consumed, 44 people were killed and over 17,000 people were evacuated from their homes. It took four days to extinguish the fire, with the Greece, Turkey and the US assisting by sending firefighting planes.