Two injured as forest fires break out across Israel, approach Jerusalem

Multiple communities were evacuated as forest fires swept the country.

By ALON HOCHMON, YUVAL BAGNO/MAARIV
Updated: NOVEMBER 23, 2016 10:35
Fire in Zichron Yaakov 22/11/1016 (photo credit: MDA)
Fire in Zichron Yaakov 22/11/1016
(photo credit: MDA)
A forest fire erupted in the Judean Mountains community of Nataf, located 12 miles northwest of Jerusalem, on Wednesday as blazes have raged through the country due to unseasonably high temperatures and high winds.
Fire in Dolev (JUDEA AND SAMARIA FIRE DEPARMENT)
Police later closed off the area and evacuated residents from the neighborhood.
Emergency units were in the area and airplanes and a police helicopter were involved in efforts to control the fire.
Overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, more than 30 crews of firefighters assisted by 12 IDF firefighting crews worked to fight the fires developing in Zichron Yaakov and the surrounding region.
Border policemen were called in to insure that residents in the area had evacuated their houses. Many residents were evacuated minutes before the fire reached their homes.
As winds increased the fires, which began Tuesday morning, spread.
Fire in Zichron Yaakov (MDA)
Fire in Zichron Yaakov (MDA)
An additional forest fire broke out in the settlement of Dolev, in the Binyamin region of the West Bank. Two people were lightly injured from smoke inhalation as the fire edged on the settlement's houses.
The fire was under control Wednesday morning as firefighters and volunteers worked to extinguish the last of the flames.
Forest fire in Dolev (JUDEA AND SAMARIA FIRE DEPARMENT)
Forest fire in Dolev (JUDEA AND SAMARIA FIRE DEPARMENT)
Four crews were sent to put out an additional forest fire in the Judea region.
A southern fire on Kibbutz Revadim, lead to the kibbutz's families being evacuated. The fire was extinguished before morning broke.
Forest fire near the Latrun-Neve Shalom area (Screenshot)
Forest fire near the Latrun-Neve Shalom area (Screenshot)
Four crews were working to put out a fire near Nahariya in the Kfar Veradim region. Area settlements were not in any danger, according to firefighters.