Citing Heatwave Forecast, Fire Services Restricts Lag BaOmer Fires

Israelis should not be lighting bonfires to celebrate Lag BaOmer next Thursday night and Friday, except in specifically designated areas, the country’s Fire and Rescue Services said on Thursday.

“Bonfires will not be permitted due to extreme weather conditions that raise the risk for wildfires and damage to both persons and property,” the statement read.

Israel, back to normalcy owing to a record-setting vaccination campaign, has already endured one spring heatwave earlier this week, and is expecting another next week.

The order is in effect from Wednesday, April 27, through Sunday, May 2, and it will apply to all areas of the country, except for certain isolated zones where it is deemed safe.

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu approved unlimited access to the annual Lag BaOmer festivities in Meron.