Fire Threatens Gamla and Golan Heights Sites

Dry weather and an army drill contributed to a fire on Thursday that swept across the Golan Heights and threatened the Gamla Nature Reserve, home to vultures and waterfalls.

The afternoon fire is believed to have destroyed vegetation in the reserve, but, thankfully, the Nature and Parks Authority saved 15 vultures that were hatched in captivity. The vulture population is in danger of extinction.

Israeli news sources reported that the Fire Service believed the fire began when shells were fired in an Israel Defense Forces drill. Also on Thursday, a dry heat system blanketed Israel, contributing to an easy spread of the flames.

Gamla, which sits on the edge of a rocky plateau, was excavated in 1968. The residents of Gamla  kept the Romans at bay for more than seven months during the revolt in 66 AD. The city was the last one standing in the Golan, but the Romans eventually breached the city walls. Many of the residents were believed to have committed suicide by throwing themselves over the edge of the hillside to their death rather than surrender to the Roman army.