Article: Israel And The Last Days
 

What is being described as the worst fire in Israel's history raged out of control in northern Israel Thursday, cutting a giant swath of deadly destruction through an area known as "little Switzerland."   At least 40 prison security officers were killed when the bus they were traveling on veered off the road and burst into flames. The officers were on their way to help evacuate a prison in the area. More than 1,500 people have been evacuated so far, according to police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. Television news outlets report 5,000 people have been evacuated. "At this hour a terrible fire is ravaging Mt. Carmel; there are many casualties," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said as he visited the site. The fire destroyed 8,000 acres of trees and an entire community Beit Oren within the first 11 hours. Television images showed raging flames and burned out vehicles. Rosenfeld told CBN News that there is a "strong possibility" that the fire was started by arson. He said there was a lot of coordination between various Israeli services. He said Israel would see what happens in the next 24 hours.   Israel is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its history. That coupled with a strong wind also fanned the flames.