HAIFA, Israel (AP) - Responding to an unprecedented Israeli
distress call, aircraft from Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Britain are
dumping sea water and flame retardant on the worst forest fire in
Israel's history.
The eight-square-mile woodland inferno has killed dozens,
displaced thousands and ravaged one of the Holy Land's most prized
forests.
The eruption of the blaze Thursday immediately overwhelmed
Israel's small firefighting force and prompted an unprecedented
call for international help from a country better known for helping
in other countries' disaster zones. Even the Palestinian Authority
has pitched in with firefighting units.
The U.S. is sending firefighters along with fire retardant and
foam. It's also trying to fulfill Israel's request for more
aircraft.