JERUSALEM — The toll from the wild fire that consumed much of the Carmel Forest in northern Israel earlier this month rose to 44 earlier this week, following the death of a firefighter.Danny Hayat, 35, who was burned over 65 percent of his body after trying to rescue prison workers and firefighters trapped in a burning bus, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, Dec.18 at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. He was in an induced coma and had undergone two skin transplants in an attempt to save his life. “Danny courageously fought the fire in an heroic attempt to save the prison service bus,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon learning of Hayat’s death,”My wife and I visited him in the hospital. Wemet his wife, Hofit, who is due to give birth. We met his parents, Motti and Batsheva, and we discovered a strong, united and brave family. Despite all the prayers and the efforts, Danny passed away. Our hearts –the government’s and the nation’s – are with the Hayat family.” A Jezreel Valley fire and rescue service officer, Hayat leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children.