Residents were evacuated from homes in Kesalon, near Beit Shemesh, on Sunday afternoon as a wildfire advanced toward the community and threatened residential buildings.

Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority declared a major firefighting emergency and deployed approximately 30 ground crews, supported by six firefighting aircraft, to battle the flames.

The first row of homes in Kesalon’s Migdal Ha’Esh neighborhood was evacuated as firefighters worked to stop the fire from spreading deeper into the community. Crews were also operating along the front line near buildings as strong winds pushed the blaze uphill.

Jerusalem District Police closed the section of Highway 395 between the Eshtaol junction and the Sataf area due to the fire. The Mateh Yehuda Regional Council activated its emergency response team and said additional evacuations would be carried out if necessary.

Authorities urged the public to stay away from the area, keep access roads clear for emergency vehicles and follow instructions issued by police and firefighting officials.

The fire erupted during an intense heat wave affecting Israel, with temperatures reaching the upper 30s Celsius in the Jerusalem area. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds increased the danger of the flames spreading rapidly through the hills.

Temperatures were expected to remain unusually high on Monday before beginning to ease, with a more significant drop forecast later in the week.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)