Wildfire burns down 40 dunams near Jerusalem
Eight firefighting squads, two aircraft and 10 Palestinian firefighters take control of large brushfire near Har Gilo neighborhood
A large brushfire erupted Saturday afternoon in Ein Yael, near Har Gilo neighborhood in Jerusalem. Eight firefighting teams and two fire extinguishing aircraft were called up and managed to gain control over the flames, which burnt down some 40 dunams of olive groves and brush.
Fire department spokesman Assaf Avras said that "eight firefighting squads from Jerusalem were working alongside 10 firefighters from the Palestinian Authority who arrived at the scene." Avras added that the wild fire erupted in an area that had a steep slope, which made it more difficult to gain control over the flames.
'Smoke rising from mountains.' (Photo: Noam "Dabul" Dvir)
David, a Gilo resident who witnessed the fire, said "we saw smoke and fire rising from the mountains. We called the fire department and they told us that it is being taken care of. When we came closer, we saw that the fire was spreading from a few different points. Minutes later, firefighting squads arrived at the scene."
Earlier on Saturday a brush fire erupted near the train station in Rishon Lezion. Five firefighting teams were called up to the area and managed to gain control of the flames.
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
