A fire in the Israeli city of Haifa was raging out of control and would be impossible to stop before afternoon, a Cypriot firefighting unit sent to help battle the blaze said Friday.

Cyprus sent a fix-wing plane and a fire fighting helicopter Thursday in response to Israeli pleas for help to put out the fire, which was described by Israeli officials as a historic "firestorm." So far, 41 people have died in the blaze.

Flame retardant materials are also being sent to Israel, according to a Cyprus Forest Department official.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Neoklis Sylikiotis told a state-run radio station that ground firefighting forces were ready to fly to Israel if requested.

Cyprus fire fighters are highly trained, with experience in large forest fires both in Cyprus and Greece in recent years.