The Israel Fire Department Chief, Dedi Simchi, published an order using his authority under the law barring bonfires around Israel on Lag B�Omer that do not comply with the order of the day, dated Wednesday, 17 Iyar. The ban goes into effect on Wednesday, 17 Iyar at 3:00PM until Thursday, 18 Iyar at 8:00PM. It appears the decision to issue the restrictions are in response to forecasts of unseasonably strong winds on Wednesday night.

Fires permitted must be in a hole or pit and not on or above ground surface.

A fire on the surface:

� Must be at least 300 meters from a forest

� No fire may be lit in a proximity of a forest area

� There must be at least 60 meters between a fire and gas cylinders

� There must be at least 20 meters between the fire and electric and phone lines

� There must be at least 40 meters between a fire and buildings

� At least 6 meters between one fire and another

� The base of the bonfire may not exceed 3 meters materials used to add height may not exceed 1.5 meters from the ground

Fire inside a pit/hole in the ground:

� There must be 300 meters between the fire and a forestry area

� No fire may be lit in a proximity of a forest area

� There must be at least 60 meters between a fire and gas cylinders

� There must be at least 20 meters between the fire and electric and phone lines

� There must be at least 40 meters between a fire and buildings

� At least 6 meters between one fire and another

� The base of the bonfire may not exceed 3 meters materials used to add height may not exceed 1.5 meters from the ground

(YWN Israel Desk � Jerusalem)