The cabinet's vote, at a special meeting near the area affected by the fire, came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged haste.

The fire, which broke out Thursday, has killed at least 41 people and injured at least 17 others. Firefighters have gained control over "several of the major fire fronts," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on December 5. "The fire is still burning in a few areas, but the major sources of the fire have been extinguished."

The cabinet approved a series of steps aimed at kick-starting a quick response to victims. The Finance Ministry will allocate US$16 million in aid to local communities affected by the fire. Netanyahu instructed that more funding be considered if necessary.

The plan will include compensating local governments for damages "in order to meet the costs of evacuating and absorbing populations, firefighting efforts, clean-up and dealing with infrastructures," according to a government statement.

The government said Israel's Housing Administration will station mobile structures in the communities to stand in for homes and public structures that were destroyed. A plan will also be formulated to restore animal and plant life affected in the Carmel Nature Reserve.

The flames, fueled by high, shifting winds, have spread over 10,000 acres around Haifa, Israel's third largest city, threatening businesses, tourism and one of Israel's greenest regions, Mount Carmel. About 17,000 people have been evacuated.

The American Jewish Committee announced it is making an initial US$100,000 donation to Israeli organizations assisting with relief from the fire.