The worst forest fire in Israel's history on Thursday devastated one of the country's few forested areas, killing at least 36 guards on their way to rescue inmates at a prison in the fire zone, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of thousands. The guards, on their way to rescue inmates at the fire threatened Damun prison, were killed when their bus was halted by a fallen tree. Some guards were burned alive inside the bus, while others died as they tried to flee. Fourteen bodies were found near the charred skeleton of the bus 10 hours after the fire started.