Fire

Fire approaching Emmaus

A massive forest fire in the central plains destroyed part of the Trappist monastery and the convent of the Beatitude religious in Emmaus-Nicopolis. Such was the intensity that we could smell the destruction here in the City 30 km away as the smoke clouded the sky.

And to make matters worse, there was the worst sandstorm to hit the country in 30 years. For 2 whole days the sky was yellow and sand was everywhere. Elderly and people with respiratory problems had to stay indoors. And the winds were extremely gusty, blowing down structures and anything not nailed down. And this sandstorm fanned the fires to spread rapidly throughout the forests. There was so much devastation.

Desert sand on our terrace

Last night as I headed to Herzliya 90km away for Mass and return, I had to pass through the highway in the midst of this catastrophe. Some small fires were still burning and fire engines were back and forth, ambulances also. The air was thick with the stench of smoldering trees. I developed a sore throat as a result.

Back home our terrace was covered with desert sand. Flower pots, chairs and tables were strewn about by the very gusty winds.

Let's hope the weather will cool down a little and the fires get quenched by the heavy dew that should fall during this period.