Massive Wildfire Closes Highway, Forces Evacuations Near Jerusalem

By Israel News Network

A massive wildfire combined with an intense heatwave and high winds of up to 40 mph closed major highways in the Jerusalem area and forced evacuations of several communities as the flames raged out of control on Wednesday, Yom HaZikaron.

Mourners in area cemeteries grieving their fallen loved ones were evacuated from Memorial Day ceremonies as well, due to the risk of high winds collapsing equipment and escalating the situation.

Train service to Jerusalem and surrounding areas has been suspended. All trains headed in that direction are being stopped at Ben Gurion International Airport.

Israel has requested international assistance to deal with the flames, after it became clear that the Fire and Rescue Service was becoming overwhelmed, even with assistance from the Israel Defense Forces.

At least 120 Israeli firefighting teams and 10 firefighting planes have been battling the flames, which ignited earlier in the day.

Israel has reached out for urgent firefighting assistance from Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Bulgaria and Croatia, while the Israel Airport Authority prepared to accommodate firefighting aircraft arriving from abroad. Greece said it would send a “supertanker” to help fight the flames.

The fire is being fed by high winds and sharav (intense heat) conditions – to the point that it appears the traditional Torch-Lighting Ceremony that opens Israel’s Independence Day is likely to be canceled due to the risk of igniting additional flames.

Flames returned to the Eshtaol Forest in the Jerusalem Hills for the second time this month, forcing more road closures and evacuation of nearby communities, including Neve Shalom, Beko’a, Ta’oz and Nachshon, as well as the evacuation of the military memorial taking place in Latrun.

Jerusalem District Police have begun evacuating the residents of Mevo Horon and Park Canada as well, due to fears the flames would spread to those areas.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority is evacuating hikers from the various national parks in the area as well.

Many drivers traveling along Highway 1, the main artery between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, were trapped on the road in both directions between Shoresh and Anava, forced to abandon their vehicles as thick smoke and flames grew closer.

Three private vehicles and one truck that had been abandoned by their drivers were reported charred, and nine people were rescued from various areas impacted by the smoke.

Six areas are currently in flames: Highway 3 (closed to traffic), Neve Shalom, Park Canada, Mitzpe Harel, Mesilat Tzion and Ramat Beit Shemesh, fire officials said.

“We call on the public to heed the instructions of the police and all the many rescue and emergency forces operating in the area to maintain their safety and security,” police urged.

At least seven people are reported injured thus far as a result of the fast-moving flames in the Jerusalem Hills and areas toward the lowlands.

A spokesperson from the Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) in Be’er Yaakov, one of the injured is listed in fair (moderate) condition; six others are in good (mild) condition.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he is continuing to hold updates and assessments on the fire with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and all of the security and rescue services.

“We are in a time of national emergency and all possible forces must be mobilized to save lives and control the fires,” said a spokesperson for Defense Minister Israel Katz.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered the forces to help battle the blazes, including the deployment of firefighting teams from Home Front Command and Air Force personnel who are providing aerial photos to help the Fire and Rescue Service and Israel Police fight the flames.

Police are also beginning to evacuate areas of the city of Beit Shemesh, located to the southwest of Jerusalem and home to many observant Jewish dual US-Israeli citizens.