Massive Forest Fire Ravages Jerusalem Area

Huge swaths of land west of Jerusalem charred black; 10,000 residents forced to evacuate

By Israel Today Staff |
Police officers direct traffic away from a massive forest fire west of Jerusalem that burned over 17,000 dunams (over 4,200 acres) of land near the capital.
1 / 7 Police officers direct traffic away from a massive forest fire west of Jerusalem that burned over 17,000 dunams (over 4,200 acres) of land near the capital. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Some 10,000 Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes as the fire raged in and around small communities to the west of Jerusalem.
2 / 7 Some 10,000 Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes as the fire raged in and around small communities to the west of Jerusalem. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Hundreds of firefighters and at least 10 firefighting planes were brought in from all over the country to try to control the blaze.
3 / 7 Hundreds of firefighters and at least 10 firefighting planes were brought in from all over the country to try to control the blaze. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
The smoke was so thick it blotted out the afternoon sun.
4 / 7 The smoke was so thick it blotted out the afternoon sun. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
The fires were to the west of Jerusalem, but smoke filled the skies over the capital. In the foreground, the Israel Knesset.
5 / 7 The fires were to the west of Jerusalem, but smoke filled the skies over the capital. In the foreground, the Israel Knesset. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
While firefighters and citizens fought valiantly to keep the fire out of residential areas, a number of homes were burned in the community of Ramat Raziel.
6 / 7 While firefighters and citizens fought valiantly to keep the fire out of residential areas, a number of homes were burned in the community of Ramat Raziel. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
The morning after. Charred hillsides to the west of Jerusalem.
7 / 7 The morning after. Charred hillsides to the west of Jerusalem. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

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