TEL AVIV (Sputnik) — Israel ended the international operation on extinguishing forest fires, which raged across the country last week, the county's fire service said on Tuesday.
"Due to fires extinguished and weather conditions changed, a decision was made to end the operation," the statement read.
According to the fire service data, a total of 1,773 fire outbreaks occurred last week, with Haifa being the hottest spot, where around 80,000 people were evacuated.
Some 900 firefighters were reportedly operating daily. Russia sent two Be-200 amphibious aircraft after Israel had asked for international help.
Dry and windy weather is considered to be one of the main reasons for the spread of fires in the country, however, Israeli police has reportedly arrested over 30 people suspected of arsons, which led to at least 24 large fire outbreaks.