Camp Gan Yisrael of Melbourne Evacuates as Fires Approached

By COLlive reporter

Camp Gan Yisrael of Melbourne, an overnight camp taking place on Mount Hotham, Australia, was evacuated on Thursday due to nearby bushfires.

The camp for Chabad boys from Melbourne, Australia, is located in Harrietville, a town in Australia’s Victorian Alps, located approximately 357 kilometers (222 mi) northeast of Melbourne.

Australia is in the grip of a devastating fire season, with months of summer still to go, as record-breaking temperatures, strong winds and prolonged drought have ignited huge blazes across the country.

The decision was made late Wenesday night to evacuate the campsite, and by Thursday afternoon all children had returned to Sydney or Melbourne.

Camp director Moshe Kahn said the call to evacuate was preventative at the time, and in consultation with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and police.

“There were fires over the mountain and while there wasn’t an evacuation order, the advice from police was to leave,” Kahn said.

“We monitored the situation the whole time and it was a very calm evacuation.”

“We got all the kids together, spoke to everyone and then left this morning. It was a preventative measure,” he said.

Kahn said although the fire department had said it wasnt necessary, Police had recommended an evacuation.

While the decision was preventative this morning, updates from Emergencies Services Victoria have now put the campsite in direct line of fire.

According to Emergency Services Victoria, there are now several out of control bushfires near the campsite and they are recommending that people leave now because conditions may change and get worse very quickly.

“Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay,” they stated.

This camp was one of 10 held this year by Chabad Youth in Victoria.

The kids, who are ranging from seven to 17 years of age, are now participating in other programs.