KKL-JNF allots NIS 13 million for firefighting gear in 94 forest-adjacent communities

‘In a forest fire, the first few minutes are critical,’ says organization’s chairman Eyal Ostrinsky, highlighting need for local first responders

The KKL-JNF Jewish National Fund announced Tuesday that it would spend NIS 13 million ($4.4 million) to equip 94 communities located next to forests across central Israel with essential wildfire first response equipment.

The organization’s central region encompasses around 440,000 dunams (109,000 acres) of planted forest, stretching from Yokne’am and Zichron Ya’akov in the north to Beit Guvrin in the south.

Over recent years, security challenges, compounded by climate change, have led to an increase in wildfires, threatening communities, infrastructure and vast forested areas.

The 94 eligible communities were chosen on the basis of several factors, among them proximity to, or overlap with forests, fire risk assessments undertaken by the Israel Fire and Rescue Services, and each community’s wildfire history over the past five years. The funds for the equipment will be given to local authorities, with 73 communities eligible for NIS 150,000 ($50,360) each, and the other 21 for NIS 100,000 ($33,600) apiece.

While the Israel Fire and Rescue Services hold official responsibility for firefighting, KKL-JNF plays an important role in wildfire prevention and emergency response across Israel’s forests and open spaces.

“In a forest fire, the first few minutes are critical,” said KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky. “Our goal is to ensure that the communities bordering Israel’s forests have the tools they need to respond quickly, reduce damage, and help protect lives, homes, and the forests themselves. This is a direct investment in the safety of residents and in preserving Israel’s open landscapes.”