The fire was due to a combination of extreme conditions and negligence. The weather was extremely dry (humidity of 5%) and the vegetation was also very dry following seven month of no rain (from April to November). Casual cigarettes instigated the fire, probably in several locations. Strong, fierce winds blew the fire, which propagated and spread rapidly. Local fire spots were located by many cameras, including security cameras and cameras integrated in smart phones of the residents, but the information to the fire fighter arrived only after a delay.
Local fire fighters failed to stop the fire, and light airplanes were not very effective. More fighters joined from other localities, and heavier airplanes joined from neighboring countries, but they did not arrive early enough to extinguish the fire among the houses.
The residents of areas under risk were called to evacuate, but few of them preferred to stayed at home and protect their property. Several civilians joined the professional fighters and helped them voluntarily. Unfortunately, many water hoses did not function, and the fighter's vehicles had to get out to refill and back in, over and over.
Many houses were damaged. Luckily, no casualties are attributed to this incidence.
Updated on 19 Dec 2016.