Massive Forest Fire Rages Around Jerusalem
15 August, 2021 |
4 years ago
Jerusalem, 15 August, 2021 (TPS-IL) -- Another major forest fire is burning in the area around Jerusalem at this very moment.
Ramat Raziel, a town just outside of Jerusalem, has seen homes on fire. That is one of six towns where residents are being asked to evacuate for their own safety. The other five towns are Beit Meir, Ksalon, Shoresh, Sho’eva and Givat Ye’arim.
The fires broke out at about 3 PM local time. Local roads the 395 and the 3955 have been closed to traffic.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz has ordered the IDF to aid in fighting the fires.
The IDF’s elite helicopter rescue unit 669 was deployed in the Jerusalem hills, just west of the capital.
All the patients from the psychiatric hospital Eitanim Medical Center, which is located in the Jerusalem Hills just outside of the city, were evacuated successfully.
Reports indicate that at the current time as many as 70 firefighters are working in the area and 12 firefighting planes and helicopters are working as well.
According to police spokesman Eli Levi as many as 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
Nissim Toito, Jerusalem District Commander of the Fire Department, commented, “This is perhaps the biggest fire in recent years in the Jerusalem mountains.”
Mateh Yehuda Regional Council leader Niv Vizel commented, “We are quickly working together with security and rescue services to control the flame,” said the head of the. “Council officials are at the scene and are in contact with local communities. We urge all residents and visitors to comply with police so we can get the situation under control as soon as possible.”
Smoke from the fires has spread to Jerusalem and even to central parts of the country.
As of now, no injuries have been reported.
