Evergreen Supertanker on its way to Israel

Efforts to put out Carmel wildfire continue: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday ordered an immediate transfer of the budget needed to rent the Evergreen Supertanker, a Boeing 747-200 modified into an aerial firefighting aircraft. The plane is expected to land in Israel on Saturday night.

Considered the largest aerial firefighting aircraft in the world, the supertanker has a capacity of about 80,000 liters of water (24,000 US gallons), 16 times the capacity of an average firefighting tanker.

Ten firefighting aircrafts are currently fighting the Carmel wildfire: Four from Cyprus, two from Turkey, two from Russia and one from France. In addition, three helicopters have arrived from Cyprus and two from Britain. Nine more firefighting planes are expected to arrive in Israel on Sunday: Five from Spain, three from the United States and one from Germany.

The Russian aid to Israel included two Illyushin II-76 firefighting aircraft and a B200 plane. Two firefighting helicopters are expected to go into action on Sunday. "We believe we can help you gain control of the fire," said a senior Russian army officer. Twenty-two Russian aerial and fire experts arrived in Israel as well.

Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who expressed his condolences to the people of Israel over the Carmel wildfire casualties and said he would give Israel any help required.

Source: ynetnews.com