Six firefighting teams from the Afula area were operating Tuesday to contain a fire in an open area near the Nof Gilad neighborhood in Beit She’an, Israel Fire and Rescue Authority’s Northern District said.

Four aircraft from the Elad aerial firefighting squadron were assisting ground crews as firefighters worked to prevent the flames from reaching nearby homes and buildings, the service added.

The fire spread quickly, endangering nearby structures

According to the fire service, the blaze spread quickly through the open area and endangered structures close to the fire line.

Firefighters work to extinguish blaze near Beit Shean, May 19, 2026.
Firefighters work to extinguish blaze near Beit Shean, May 19, 2026. (credit: FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE)

Afula station commander Deputy Fire Chief Asher Biton said the combined work of ground crews and firefighting aircraft helped limit the spread of the blaze.

“This is a fire in an open area that spread quickly and endangered nearby homes and buildings,” Biton said. “Thanks to the combined activity of the ground crews and firefighting aircraft, the fire is currently contained, and the teams are continuing to operate at the scene until control of the incident is achieved.”

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