Fire and Rescue teams evacuated drivers along Highway 1—the main artery connecting Jerusalem to the coast—on Wednesday as fast-moving flames and thick smoke surged from nearby woodlands. Some motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot to escape the encroaching fire.
“Oh my God, I feel it, I feel the heat,” a woman cried in panic as flames approached her car. At least 12 people were evacuated for medical treatment after suffering from smoke inhalation.
Flames rage near the main highway to Jerusalem during wildfire
(Video: Keren Koshinsky )
Authorities said the fire was spreading erratically due to high winds reaching nearly 40 mph, complicating containment efforts. IDF troops were deployed to assist in evacuations and help contain the blaze.
Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem began evacuating non-critical patients as wildfires intensified near the capital. Hospital officials urged the public to avoid arriving at the medical center unless absolutely necessary.
The announcement came as emergency services warned of worsening conditions due to high winds and dry weather. "The conditions will become increasingly difficult," said Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi. "Do not go near Highway 1."
With firefighting resources stretched thin, Israel has requested urgent international assistance from Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria and Italy. The Fire and Rescue Authority said the scale of the crisis exceeds its current response capabilities.
(Video: Yuval Goncho)
(Video: Israel Police)
Preparations are underway at Ben Gurion International Airport to receive firefighting aircraft from abroad, including a “supertanker”—the largest firefighting plane—being dispatched from Greece.
Authorities shut down access to Highway 1 after a brush fire erupted, just one week after a separate wildfire devastated large swaths of forest and forced evacuations in the same region.
Forest fire in the Jerusalem hills on Wednesday
Residents of multiple communities have been ordered to evacuate as teams work to protect homes. More than 120 firefighting teams and 10 aircraft are battling flames under dry conditions and high winds. At least six additional fire fronts were reported in the hills outside the capital.
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Memorial Day ceremonies at area cemeteries were interrupted, with mourners forced to evacuate. In northern Israel, firefighting crews were simultaneously tackling at least 15 separate wildfires.
Forest fire in the Jerusalem hills on Wednesday
(Photo: KKL)
Forest fire as seen from the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway
(Photo: Meir Turgeman)
The Defense Ministry urged bereaved families to avoid cemeteries due to safety concerns, warning that strong winds could collapse equipment and fuel further flare-ups.
Train service to Jerusalem and surrounding areas has been suspended, with all trains now terminating at Ben Gurion International Airport.
A nationwide call-up of firefighting reservists was issued as reinforcements continued arriving to help bring the wildfire under control.
Fire approaching vehicles on Highway 1
(Photo: Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
Fire nearing abandoned vehicles on Highway 1
Highway 1
(Photo: Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
Wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills
(Photo: Fire and Rescue Services)
Fires near Latrun
(Photo: Fire and Rescue Services)
Eshtaol Forest
(Photo: KKL)
Wildfires in open areas near Afula
(Photo: Fire and Rescue Services)
Wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills
(Photo: Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
Wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills
(Photo: Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
Center divider removed on Highway 1 to allow emergency vehicles through
(Photo: National Roads Company of Israel)
Wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills
(Photo: REUTERS/Sinan Abu Mayzer)
Wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills
(Photo: AP/Mahmoud Illean)
Wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills
(Photo: Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
Wildfire in Mateh Yehuda
(Photo: Israel Police)
Flames erupt in Eshtaol Forest
(Photo: KKL)
Fire approaching vehicles on Highway 1
Wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills
(Photo: REUTERS/Sinan Abu Mayzer)