The scathing report detailed serious inadequacies in the nation's firefighting abilities -- weaknesses highlighted last week when a devastating fire swept through a northern forest, killing 42 people and consuming thousands of acres of forest.

"The fire services, in a poor state to begin with, were not improved since the (2006) second Lebanon war," said the 34-page report by the state comptroller.

"Instead, its situation deteriorated further and it is in danger of complete collapse in the event of an emergency, something that could harm the entire rescue services and cause loss of life and property," the report said.

The report laid much of the blame on Yishai, the head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, a key partner in the coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The continued failure is the responsibility first and foremost of the interior ministry and the minister," the report found. It also laid blame with the treasury for failing to transfer adequate funds.

Netanyahu's office said he "adopts its conclusions and is committed to implementing them as soon as possible."

Yishai said he too accepted the findings of the report. However, he rejected accusations he was responsible, saying he had not been given adequate funding for the fire service that includes just 1,500 firefighters and not a single firefighting aircraft.

The publication of the report was brought forward due to the devastating fire.

Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss decided to compile a report on the country's firefighting capacity after completing a study of Israel's preparedness for the 2006 war with Lebanon.

That study, published in 2007, found the nation's firefighting capacity was its weakest link in terms of home front preparedness.

During the war, rockets fired by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah frequently ignited blazes in Israel's often-parched forest areas.

In last week's blaze, Israel's limited resources forced the Jewish state to seek international assistance to put it out.

More than 20 nations offered equipment, personnel and firefighting aircraft, finally bringing the blaze under control three days after it began.

Meanwhile, MPs were expected to debate a call for a state commission of inquiry into the fire.

A poll carried out by the Haaretz daily found little public support for a new investigation, which could take months and prove costly.

Just 39 percent of Israelis said they wanted a new probe, while 54 percent said the watchdog's report was "sufficient."

Israeli scientists said on Wednesday the fire was a result of climate change.

The fire was "preceded by eight months of drought and occurred during a heat wave," said the report by Guy Peer, one of the authors of Israel's first report to the UN on climate change.

"Normally the first rainfall should have come in September of October," the report said.

earlier related report
Israel MPs to debate calls for forest fire inquiry
Jerusalem (AFP) Dec 8, 2010 - Israeli MPs were on Wednesday to debate calls for an inquiry into the country's worst-ever fire, as the government watchdog prepared to release a report on the Jewish state's fire service.

The report by the State Comptroller was widely expected to detail serious inadequacies in the nation's firefighting abilities -- weaknesses highlighted last week when a devastating fire swept through a northern forest.

The blaze killed 42 people and consumed thousands of acres of forest, prompting calls for an investigation that could assign blame and responsibility.

Interior Minister Eli Yishai, who faced harsh criticism over Israel's lack of preparation for the enormous blaze, has said he favours a probe.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly opposes the idea, saying the Comptroller's report should preclude the need for a second probe.

The report, to be released on Wednesday afternoon, is expected to strongly criticise Israel's meagre firefighting resources, which include just 1,500 firefighters and not a single firefighting aircraft.

But it is unlikely to assign individual blame for the deficiencies, prompting calls for a specific probe of the fire in the Carmel mountains near the northern city of Haifa.

A poll carried out by the Haaretz daily found little public support for a new investigation, which could take months and prove costly.

Just 39 percent of Israelis said they wanted a new probe, while 54 percent said the watchdog's report was "sufficient."

Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss decided to compile a report on the country's firefighting capacity after completing a study of Israel's preparedness for the 2006 war with Lebanon.

That study, published in 2007, found the nation's firefighting capacity was its weakest link in terms of homefront preparedness.

During the war, rockets fired by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah frequently ignited blazes in Israel's often-parched forest areas.

Israel's limited firefighting resources forced the Jewish state to seek international assistance to put out the fire that ravaged the Carmel mountains last week.

More than 16 nations offered equipment, personnel and firefighting aircraft, finally bringing the blaze under control three days after it began.

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