Israeli Cabinet approves plan to restore Carmel Fire zone, plans national fire authority

[News_Editor]

Israeli Cabinet approves plan to restore Carmel Fire zone, plans national fire authority

2011-01-02 18:50:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday approved a 15 million Israeli shekels (US$4.2 million) plan to rebuild and upgrade essential infrastructures in the area devastated by the deadly Carmel Fire in December.

The fire, which began on December 2 and killed 44 people, burned an area over 50,000 dunams (12,355 acres) and destroyed more than 70 buildings. It left local communities devastated and displaced scores of people.

The plan approved on Sunday is intended to return life to these communities to normal and repair the public infrastructures that they rely upon. It includes the rebuilding of structures, restore damage to sewage, water, electricity and communications infrastructures, paving access roads, repairing gardening infrastructure, building playgrounds, cutting trees and general clean-up, and dealing with highways and traffic arrangements.

Last week, the committee of director-generals chaired by Prime Minister's Office Director-General Eyal Gaba approved rental assistance and municipal assistance to communities which were damaged in the wildfire. It allowed a family whose home was completely destroyed to receive rental assistance for up to two years and families whose homes were partially destroyed to receive rental assistance for up to one year.

"We are busy with the very quick rehabilitation of the Carmel area," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, adding that the Cabinet is expected to issue a memorandum for a decision next Sunday on the establishment of a national fire authority and an aerial firefighting force. "We will submit budgets for this," he added.

The cause of the deadly blaze is not yet known, although it is believed that a 14-year-old boy may have caused the fire by throwing a piece of burning coal into the forest. He then panicked and fled the scene without telling anyone.

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