Jerusalem forest fire prompts residents to evacuate neighbourhoods
Various bush fires blazed across Israel as the country was hit by high temperatures on Thursday, as fires in parts of Jerusalem prompted dozens of residents to evacuate their homes, writes The Jerusalem Post.
According to the source, environmental officials from Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) estimated that the fire in Jerusalem broke out at two locations in the Ramot Forest and the Cedar Valley. The fire then spread to toward the residential areas of Ramot, Gilo and Mevasseret Zion.
Eighteen fire-fighting and rescue teams and four water-dropping air teams were attempting to control the blazes in the capital.
The fire was thought to have been sparked by remnants of bonfires that were lit Wednesday night to mark the eve of the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer.
According to The Jerusalem Post, No injuries had been reported thus far.