Wildfires

Wildfires - Israel

Negligence is suspected of being a factor in a number of wildfires on Tuesday, including a forest fire that scorched hundreds of hectares outside Shlomi in the western Galilee.

Police and firefighters deployed helicopters and other aircraft to fight the blaze, which also damaged a power line, causing electrical failures in the area.

On the other side of the Galilee, a forest fire broke out in two spots next to the Jordan River near a popular rafting spot. The cause of this fire was not announced, and all visitors had to be evacuated from the area.

In Jerusalem, two forest fires broke out on Tuesday, where temperatures hit a high of 33 degrees. One broke out near the Mount of Olives, but firefighters managed to contain it before it could cause any damage or injuries. Another blaze began in the city’s Peace Forest near the Abu Tor neighbourhood. It, too, was contained, but residents of a nearby street had to be evacuated due to high levels of smoke.