ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Firefighters are working to put out a large fire which is spreading across the Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Shaul, near Har Nof, which started on Tuesday evening.


The fire started in the Givat Shaul industrial area, and residents close to the location have been evacuated, and two firefighting planes are working with ground teams in order to extinguish the fire.


There is also worry due to the close proximity to the fire of a plant which contains hazardous materials, and a specialist is on the scene in order to assess the danger.


The roads have been closed to traffic and the local public have been asked to avoid the scene of the fire.


The fire was contained roughly an hour after it started, but has yet to be controlled.


A large wildfire, spreading across 10 hectares (24.7 acres) has broke out in a forest near Shoresh, a moshav on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Tuesday.


8 firefighting planes, a helicopter and 24 crews of the Fire and Rescue services were rushed to the scene in attempt to control the wildfire. In addition, 2 firefighting planes are on standby.


Border Police officers are evacuating Shoresh residents and sightseers in the area. In addition, thousands of girls participating in a summer camp near the Shoresh forest were evacuated as a precaution.


All evacuated people were allowed to return to the area on Tuesday evening.


Israel's Fire and Rescue Services released a statement on Tuesday afternoon and said the wildfire was approaching a nearby gas station. The fire raging near the gas station is now contained.




Israel Police chiefs are currently meeting to assess the situation at the Jerusalem District Police station.


Highway 1, which connects Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, was blocked from both direction for several hours. It has now been reopened
and the wildfire is under control
. Drivers are requested to avoid Highway 1 and nearby roads.


A 16-year-old was evacuated from the area to receive medical treatment for smoke inhalation.




In a statement the commander of the Jerusalem District Fire Department said: "One thing is clear, the fire was ignited by man, whether intentionally or negligently. For those who have not yet faced this, we are at the dawn of a new and dangerous era for the climate."

"I call on everyone to be extra careful not to light an open fire anywhere and to act responsibly. Only with the help of the public will we have a summer free of fires and disasters."

An additional fire broke out close to Kibbutz Nahshonim in central Israel between Highway 6 and Route 444, leading to the closure of Highway 6 going north. 

Four firefighting teams are working at the scene to bring the fire under control, but the fire has continued to spread and attempts to bring it under control have yet to be successful, a spokesperson for the Central District Fire Department has said.


A FOREST FIRE spreads out of control in central Israel during a heatwave, August 3, 2021 (Credit: ISRAEL FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN)
Israel entered a massive heat wave on Monday morning which is expected to last until Sunday of next week. Israel Meteorological Service has predicted unseasonably hot conditions in mountainous regions last week.

Magen David Adom has published a short guide on ways of surviving the heat, preventing heatstroke and dehydration.

This is a developing story.