State Comptroller Englman in 2024: “The Minister of National Security and the Fire and Rescue Service must provide adequate solutions to the threat of wildfires”

Wildfires occurring across the country cause estimated damage of approximately NIS 7 billion per year, according to assessments by the Fire and Rescue Authority, Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL), and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.  These figures were disclosed in the State Comptroller’s audit report on fire investigations within the Fire and Rescue Authority, published in July 2024. 
In light of the current major wildfires in the Jerusalem and Judean Foothill areas (April 23, 2025), we highlight several key findings from the audit.  
State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman found that the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority investigated only approximately 9% of the fires it handled in 2022, and approximately 14% of those it handled in 2023.

At least 50% of the wildfire investigation files opened by the Israel National Fire and Rescue Authority between 2020 and 2022 were closed only after approximately one year. 
The audit revealed that the Authority operates without written and approved policy documents defining its operational doctrine in the field of fire investigation, and that the existing policy is not based on documented risk analysis or on optimal risk management practices. 
State Comptroller Englman found that 75% of the arson-related cases opened by the police between 2019 and 2022 were closed without indictments. During that period, 228 criminal investigations were opened on suspicion of nationalist-motivated arson; however, indictments were filed in only 33% of them.
In July 2024, Comptroller Englman warned: “The Minister of National Security and the Fire and Rescue Service must provide appropriate solutions to the wildfire threat.  Protecting the citizens of Israel from wildfires is a fundamental obligation of the government.”