Israel declares national emergency over runaway bushfires

The Israeli government was forced to call on overseas help to send fire and rescue teams to deal with the raging bushfires in Jerusalem Hills on Wednesday, 30 April. The uncontrolled blaze, which started amid a heatwave and strong winds, led to forced evacuation of some communities and road closures.

The fire has been declared a national emergency, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been called in to help fire and rescue stem the flames. The government cancelled all Yom Ha’atzmaut events across Israel because of the weather and fires. Many drivers were forced to abandoned their vehicles and flee due to smoke and flames encroaching on the roads. Highway 1 had to be closed in both directions between Anava and Shoresh.

The Israel Fire and Rescue Services said 12 planes were in the air and 105 teams on the ground battling the blaze.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, “I express my full support for the firefighters and rescue teams standing guard over our country and working alongside the IDF, local authorities, and all relevant agencies in a broad effort to contain the severe and devastating fires in the Jerusalem area and ensure the safety of local residents.”

He thanked the countries who have “stepped up to assist Israel at this critical time”. He also sent strength to those evacuated from their homes, and urged the public to “fully co-operate with instructions and act with the utmost responsibility”.

This is the second time in the space of a week that fires in the hills to the west of the Israeli capital have led to residents having to be evacuated.

By Wednesday lunchtime, the residents of Neve Shalom, Beko’a, Ta’oz, and Nachshon had been evacuated along with the military memorial in Latrun, interrupting a memorial ceremony at the site. The nearby monastery was also evacuated.