The fires that razed for two days areas near Jerusalem are under control, authorities reported Thursday, although firefighters continue to fight to turn off the last foci.
The fires unleashed on the highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, forcing the police to cut numerous terrestrial routes and evacuate thousands of inhabitants throughout that axis.
“The fire is under control,” said Shlomi Harush, a head of the Fire Department.
“There are only some spotlights left. All teams are still deployed in the affected areas,” he added. There is a risk that the flames resume due to the strong wind, he warned.
Police also indicated that all roads were reopened to the circulation.
Firefighters continued working all night to extinguish the flames. According to this emergency body, 163 teams were still mobilized against the fire, supported by 12 planes.
In Latrun, about 25 km from Jerusalem, smoke was still seen near a monastery, while firefighters continued to spray water on the embers, according to an AFP journalist.
The neighbors also helped fight the flames.
“We have used hoses connected to the houses and the public taps installed in the streets,” said Ahmad Ibrahim, an inhabitant of the people of Abu Ghosh.
On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had declared a “national urgency” and warned that the fires could reach the city of Jerusalem.
The relief services of Magen David Adom (the Israeli Red Cross) served 23 people on Wednesday, mostly for burned or smoke inhalation. Among them were two pregnant women and two babies of less than a year.
The Kan public television network also reported that 17 firefighters were injured.
The army deployed troops to participate in the tasks of extinction in Jerusalem and other sectors of the center of Israel.
Aviation “continues to participate in efforts to turn off the fire,” added the armed forces.
The fire spread rapidly due to high temperatures and the strong wind in the country.
On Wednesday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they expected the arrival of hydrants from France, Romania, Croatia, Italy and Spain.
ha-jD / sg / sg / hme / d house / mb
