A fire broke out near Jerusalem. The fight against fire is hindered by high air temperature and strong wind. – In the evening the wind can blow at a speed of 90-100 kilometers per hour, which can worsen the situation – said the commander of the Jerusalem Fire Brigade Szmulik Friedman on Wednesday.
The fire broke out on Wednesday morning near the settlement of the Mesillat Cijon, about 20 kilometers from Jerusalem. Several thousand inhabitants were evacuated out of 10 nearby settlements. High air temperature and strong wind caused the fire to quickly occupy the surrounding forests. Initially, the element spread west, later, with a change of wind direction, he began to head east.
– This is probably the biggest fire in Israel's history. Our action will last for a very long time. A long way to master the fire – said the commander of the Jerusalem Fire Brigade Szmulik Friedman on Wednesday. “In the evening, the wind can blow at a speed of 90-100 kilometers per hour, which can worsen the situation,” added Friedman. He emphasized that for now it is not known what caused the fire, and the services subordinate to him do not yet investigate this issue.
The highway was closed
The number one motorway, connecting this city with Tel Aviv, was closed on Wednesday near the fire explosion. The services evacuated some people straight from the road -threatened road.
The recording below shows clouds of smoke that float above the highway.
Fires broke out near Jerusalem Reuters
No barbecues
Israeli media announced that 120 firefighters are fighting fire. Planes and fire -fighting helicopters take part in the extinguishing action. Local media reported that 13 people were injured as a result of inhalation of smoke.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar appealed to the authorities of the Greek, Cyprus, Croatia and Italy to send help. It was later reported that support was to appear on Thursday, including from Italy, Croatia and North Macedonia, including at least three firefighting aircraft. The Palestinian autonomy offered to send their firefighters, Israel has not answered at the moment – said Times of Israel.
The Saar office informed in the evening that the minister also talked to its counterparts from France, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia and Azerbaijan to ask them for help. Due to the fire, many celebrations were canceled on the occasion of the Remembrance of Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror celebrated on Wednesday. The holiday smoothly goes into Israel's Independence Day on Thursday. The main celebration of this holiday was canceled, which were to take place on Wednesday evening at the Herzla Góra West of Jerusalem.
The Israeli fire brigade announced on Tuesday that due to the extreme weather conditions – high air temperature and strong wind, which increase the likelihood of spreading and developing fires, forbade fire fires to 7 May.
Fires near Jerusalem Reuters
Source of the main photo: PAP/Abaca