Over 10,000 dunams go up in flames in the Golan Heights

Days after fire burns 13,000 dunams, new blaze ravages Golan greenery; soldier also injured during training exercise in the Heights.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
311_forest fire on mountain (photo credit: Associated Press)
311_forest fire on mountain
(photo credit: Associated Press)
Over 10,000 dunams of nature preserve land and brush were burnt in a wild blaze that broke out in the Golan Heights on Monday near Nahal El-Al.
Firefighters, Nature Authority employees, IDF soldiers, local residents and planes carrying flame retardants succeeded in putting out the fire during the day.
RELATED:Golan Heights fire burns 13,000 dunamsIAF renews F16I training after grounded due to crashThe fire began in the morning on the outskirts of the community of Eliad. Nature Authority employees suspect that the fire was started by scrap metal thieves operating in the area.
Monday's major blaze came after a separate fire raged in the Golan on Saturday putting another 13,000 dunams up in flames before firefighters were able to control it.
Fire officials at the time expressed the hope that improving weather conditions would reduce further risk of fire outbreaks.
Elsewhere in the Golan on Monday, an IDF solider was moderately injured at an IDF Armor Corps firing range from what appeared to be a training accident involving a tank shell. He received medical treatment by MDA medics on the spot and was then taken to the hospital.
The armor brigade commander ordered that training cease temporarily until the incident is investigated.