A fast-moving wildfire forced the evacuation of the entire West Bank settlement of Havat Gilad on Saturday after flames spread from the direction of the nearby settlement of Kedumim, destroying homes and injuring two firefighters, while separate wildfires prompted evacuations and emergency responses in northern Israel.
Fire and Rescue Services said 45 firefighting and rescue teams, assisted by a reconnaissance helicopter and eight firefighting aircraft, were battling the blaze at Havat Gilad.
Wildfire breaks out near Havat Gilad
(Video: from social media)
Two firefighters were injured during operations, one moderately and the other lightly, and were taken to hospitals for treatment.
According to fire officials, the blaze crossed into the residential area, destroying about 13 homes, a garage and a lumber storage facility. Several vehicles were also damaged, including a fire engine damaged by intense heat.
The fire began near Kedumim and spread rapidly because of strong winds, prompting firefighters and volunteers from the West Bank district and neighboring regions to respond.
"The fire moved quickly with the winds and crossed the first line of homes," the Fire and Rescue Service said.
Police from the Samaria district evacuated residents and directed traffic away from the area. Highway 55 was closed westbound from the Jit Junction to serve as an evacuation corridor.
Authorities urged the public to avoid the area and follow emergency instructions.
Firefighting efforts in northern Israel
(Video: Fire and Rescue Services)
In northern Israel, residents living along the first row of homes in the Jezreel Valley community of Shimshit were evacuated after a wildfire broke out in nearby open terrain. Other residents were instructed to remain indoors because of heavy smoke.
Twelve firefighting crews and four firefighting aircraft succeeded in stopping the blaze before it reached the community. Firefighters remained at the scene to extinguish remaining hotspots in the adjacent forest.
Another wildfire broke out in the northern town of Kfar Vradim. Eleven firefighting crews, assisted by two aircraft, brought the blaze under control after it ignited in an open area near the center of the community.
Firefighting efforts near Shimshit
(Photo: Fire and Rescue Services)
The area was closed to traffic while crews continued final extinguishing operations.
A fourth wildfire broke out near Mount Tabor, close to the Arab village of Shibli. Five firefighting crews and two aircraft were dispatched, and officials said the fire was later brought under control.
Northern District Fire Commander Yair Elkayam said three major fires erupted across northern Israel during the afternoon near Shimshit, Kfar Vradim and Shibli.
Firefighting efforts near Shimshit
(Photo: Fire and Rescue Services)
"After extensive efforts by firefighters, firefighting aircraft and supporting forces, we have contained the incidents and stopped the spread of the fires," Elkayam said following a situation assessment.
He said firefighters were continuing to focus on the blaze near Shibli while remaining on alert to assist with the larger wildfire near Kedumim in the West Bank.
First published: 17:09, 07.18.26