In May 2025, some 2,000 hectares (or 5,000 acres) of forest and open space in central Israel were burnt, including some 1,500 ha. (3700 acres) of KKL-JNF forest land:

In Eshtaol Forest, about 760 ha. were burned, of these:

345 ha. were burned on 23.5.25

412 ha. were burned on 30.5.25

In Ayalon-Canada Park, 610 ha. were burned, all on 30.5.25.

The rehabilitation plan includes:

• Treatment and removal of burnt trees
• Removal of dangerous hazards
• Pruning for safety
• Regulating flow channels and preventing erosion
• Repairing access routes
• High-density plantings in damaged recreation and leisure areas
• Treatment of regenerating pine seeds
• Planning fire lines
• Establishing firebreaks
• Perennial care of invasive species
• Wildlife and vegetation surveys

Priorities and implementation were determined by a steering team of professionals from relevant fields. The rehabilitation process is expected to continue for 10-15 years, in gradual stages, based on surveys and insights gathered along the way, in accordance with the policy paper Rehabilitation after Extreme Events (2021) of the KKL-JNF Forestry Department.

Stages of Rehabilitation (Forestry Department, KKL-JNF).

Stage 1 – immediate (within a year after the event)

• Mapping the burn area and the extent of the damage
• Treatment of safety and other hazards
• Removal of hazardous trees
• Treatment of invasive species

Stage 2 –  intermediate (1-4 years after)

• Continued treatment of other affected areas
• Preparation of an integrated plan for forest management and long-term rehabilitation
• Surveys, monitoring, area designation and prioritization, establishing firebreaks
• Plantings

Stage 3 – long term (4-20 years after)

• Completion of infrastructure repairs
• Implementation of the forest management plan (detailed planning and execution of vegetation rehabilitation across the entire forest area, based on the principles of the overall plan).

Note: The emergency campaign currently focuses on Stage 1