All roads previously closed have been opened following two separate fires spread across open fields in central Israel, crossing Highway 1 toward Jerusalem, Israeli media reported Wednesday.
Three firefighters were injured over the course of the day, and 16 people were treated for smoke inhalation, United Hatzalah announced.
Dozens of Israel Fire and Rescue firefighting teams attempted to control the fires as they spread northward towards Highway 1 after spreading from near Route 6 and Route 44, respectively.
Highway 1 will be closed temporarily Wednesday night to deal with the fire as it spreads along the road.
“We are preparing for a long event with the firefighters and search and rescue units,” KKL-JNF stated.
Police operated to evacuate residents of several communities as the two fires raged, and firefighter teams and planes operated to extinguish a fire that erupted near the route, Israel Police and Fire and Rescue Authority said.
The Homefront Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade, along with Israeli Air Force fire trucks, and the Technology and Logistics Division, were called to assist several hours into the event.
Additional soldiers from the Search and Rescue Brigade were called up to assist in the evacuation efforts of the communities, the IDF announced.
Netanyahu arrived on the scene for a situational assessment
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the fire management command center to assess the situation.
Earlier, the Jerusalem District Commander, chief Amir Erazini, and the Jerusalem Border Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner Shimon Dahan, held an operational assessment with personnel from firefighting, KKL, IDF, and the regional council.
“We don’t know how this fire will develop. Presumably, you will manage to control it, as we hope and as you anticipate,” Netanyahu said during the assessment.
“But in case you do not, we need to protect this line from Mevaseret to Jerusalem, this entire line, simply to prevent the fire from reaching it. And of course, protect the communities within range.”
Netanyahu also instructed to prepare reserves from Greece and other countries abroad.
Closed highways due to the fires, and evacuations are in progress
Highway 6 has been closed to traffic in both directions, at the Shorak Interchange to the north and the Nesharim Interchange to the south, with police at the scene directing traffic.
Traffic on Route 44 and Route 38 was blocked, as police operated to evacuate communities near Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh.
Both routes were opened to traffic, and the communities of Beit Meir, Eshtaol, and Mesilat Zion were allowed to return in the evening.
“The public is requested not to enter the area, to follow the instructions of the police, and to choose alternative routes,” the police said, according to Israeli media.
The fires were started by the recent heat wave, and have spread due to strong winds.
Containment efforts
Following Netanyahu’s recommendation during his operational assessment, the IAF Shimson aircraft will drop fire retardant material to create a barrier line between the fire’s focal point and nearby communities, the Fire and Rescue Brigade announced.
“This is a challenging operation requiring high coordination and skill from both the air crews and the ground firefighting teams,” the statement read.
“All forces are operating with determination and professionalism to reduce the risk to residents and prevent the fire’s spread. The aerial firefighting unit of Fire and Rescue Services Israel is coordinating all air operations for this event.”
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