Warden Message of December 3, 2010

The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv advises U.S. citizens to be aware of a major wildfire currently affecting the northern part of the country.  At least 20% of the Carmel forest reportedly is affected as the fire continues to burn.  Fire threatens Nir Etzion, on the southern slopes of Mount Carmel, and other communities in the vicinity. In the greater area in and surrounding the fire, more than 17,000 people have been evacuated, including the campus of Haifa University.  U.S. citizens in the Haifa vicinity are encouraged to check road conditions.  North-south travel south of Haifa has been disrupted at times due to fire danger and the presence of emergency equipment and personnel.

The U.S. Ambassador to Israel has issued a disaster declaration, prompting significant coordination within the United States government to identify and provide Israel with firefighting assistance.  The U.S. Embassy is deeply sympathetic to those affected by this event.

The U.S. Embassy is prepared to assist any U.S. citizen in need.  See information below on how to contact the Duty Officer after hours.  Many services are available through Israeli government agencies.  U.S. citizens should note the following Emergency Hotlines:

Emergency Information Center for public inquiries - Israel National Police: 1255144

Hospital Hotlines:
Rambam: 1255144
Bnei Zion: 1255145
Carmel: 1255142

Families of prison wardens – Israel Prison Service:  08-9775717; 08-977-5701

Social Services:  118

Families of police victims:  02-542-8910

Israeli Government Website:  www.gov.il

Haifa Municipality:  04-8706127

Israel National Police – updates on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/israelpolice?v=wall&filter=2

Haifa University – updates on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52121266435&v=wall

Assistance to the elderly:  1700-700-113

American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. For updated information on the Department of State’s worldwide caution notice, please refer to: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html. 

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website http://telaviv.usembassy.gov/, and the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website www.travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for Israel, West Bank and Gaza, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

If you need specific assistance from the U.S. Embassy, contact our switchboard during office hours (03-519-7575). Outside of office hours, contact 03-519-7551 and your call will be transferred to the Embassy’s Duty Officer. For routine inquiries, please email the American Citizen Services Unit at AMCTelAviv@state.gov.  To subscribe to receive additional Warden and other messages from the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, go to the following link and enter your email address in the yellow box on the right-hand side of the screen: http://israel.usembassy.gov/consular/acs/index.aspx. Thank you.