Fire in the Sataf Forest
צילום: דוברות המשטרה
Some 12 acres consumed by forest fire in Jerusalem area
17 firefighting crews battle blaze in the Sataf Forest in the Jerusalem Mountains alongside 4 air tankers and KKL-JNF; police officer suffers from smoke inhalation in fire in capital's Kiryat HaYovel neighborhood
A large forest fire has been raging at the Sataf Forest in the Jerusalem Mountains on Tuesday, with 17 firefighting crews battling the flames along with teams from KKL-JNF and four air tankers.
KKL-JNF said some 12 acres of forest have been burned so far, while children staying at a campsite on Mount Eitan had to be evacuated.
"The fire started around 10am under a campsite where several dozens of teenagers were staying," said KKL forester Gidi Bashan. "The visitors to the Sataf site were evacuated, and right now there is no danger to nearby communities or hikers."
Fire in the Sataf Forest (Photo: Israel Police) (צילום: דוברות המשטרה)
Bashan said authorities don't yet know what caused the fire, "but it started suspiciously close to the campsite."
He said firefighting forces were close to gaining control of the fire.
Another fire broke out in a wooded area near Stern Street in Jerusalem's Kiryat HaYovel neighborhood.
Fire on Stern Street in Jerusalem (צילום: אנה בורשטיין)
Several buildings were evacuated due to the heavy smoke. A police officer working to evacuate residents suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to the hospital in light condition.
The Jerusalem Police said firefighters were able to put out the flames and evacuated residents are allowed to return to their homes.
