A satellite image taken by NASA this past Sunday shows what appears to be three independent fires in the area of Beit Meir, outside of Jerusalem. The photo was taken when the fires had just begun. The distance between the focal points of the three blazes is around 4 kilometers apart, according to an expert who spoke with YNet.
Fire officials in Israel had already suspected the fire was man-made, though it was unclear to them at the time if it was negligence or arson. But three separate blazes at the same time is a good indication the fires were intentionally set. As can be expected, on social media there are those that are questioning the interpretation of the satellite image.
Israel’s progressive environmental minister Tamar Zandberg blamed climate change and wants to declare a climate emergency.
בחפ״ק השריפה בהרי ירושלים. האסון כאן בלתי נתפס. בעולם החדש אסונות אקלים הם חלק גובר והולך מהשגרה וחובה להיערך בהתאם. זה אומר להכיר במצב חירום אקלימי, זה אומר לתקצב היערכות וזה אומר להכין תכנית שיקום למערכות הטבעיות פה שנפגעו באופן אנוש pic.twitter.com/0Koddq4Cvl
— תמר זנדברג ? (@tamarzandberg)
This was the worst fire to hit the Jerusalem area in decades.