Exactly one week after a massive forest fire left over 10,000 dunams scorched, forest fire reignites in two locations, encouraged by strong winds; Fire and Rescue Service calls in all forces nationally.
Police on Wednesday evacuated multiple communities, following the reigniting of last week’s forest fire in Eshta’ol in five separate locations: Route 3, which has been closed to traffic; Canada Park; Neve Shalom; Mesilat Zion; and Mitzpeh Harel.
The decision to evacuate was made due to the complex conditions on the ground, including strong winds and active fires which threaten to spread to populated areas. Later, Latrun was also evacuated.
Just prior to noon, the Fire and Rescue Service ordered Kibbutz Nachshon’s residents to evacuate. As of 2:20 p.m., the list of evacuated communities included: Neve Shalom, Beko’a, Mitzphe Harel, Mesilat Zion, Tarum, Ta’oz, and Nachshon, as well as the Latrun and Canada Park sites.
Around 10:30, the Fire and Rescue Forces declared an emergency and called up all firefighting teams from across the country, due to the severity and scope of the fire.
Around 119 firefighting teams are at the site, aided by 10 firefighting aircraft which were called to the scene to help gain control of the flames. Another 22 teams are on their way.
Route 1 is closed to traffic between Sha’ar Hagai and Anaba, in both directions. Route 3 between Nachshon and Latrun also closed to traffic in both directions.
Route 424 between Hativat Sheva Junction towards Ramle is closed to traffic.
At 2:00 p.m., nine people were rescued from a vehicle which became trapped in the thick smoke along Route 1. Many drivers abandoned their vehicles as the fire neared. Trains connecting Jerusalem to Modi’in are suspended due to the flames.
A number of people suffered light injury from smoke inhalation and are being treated at the scene.
Israel has also turned to neighboring countries, among them Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, and Italy, asking them to send firefighting planes to help extinguish the fires.
Greece and Cyprus are sending at least 10 “supertanker” planes, reports said.
Teams from the Nature and Parks Authority began evacuating hikers from affected areas.
Hikers in these areas and in the Harei Yehuda National Park are asked to exit the area. The Khan Sha’ar Hagai heritage site is also closed to visitors.
