A massive brush fire swept across the Kesalon moshav near Beit Shemesh on Sunday, forcing authorities to declare a Severe Fire protocol and evacuate the first line of residential homes.
Dozens of firefighting teams and six aircraft are working to contain the blaze, which is spreading rapidly through the scrub-covered terrain of the Judean Hills. The Fire and Rescue Authority confirmed that the fire poses a genuine threat to homes in the community.
"Due to the intensity of the fire and its rapid rate of spread, there is real danger to the row of homes in the moshav," the authority stated. "Firefighting crews are working with determination to stop the spread of the fire, protect the homes, and prevent injury to persons and property."
Route 395 toward Kesalon has been closed to traffic from the Eshta'ol junction, with emergency services requesting the public to avoid the area and allow firefighting operations to proceed without obstruction.
Ground crews and aircraft are coordinating efforts to contain the flames. The brush fire conditions in the Judean Hills — characterized by dense scrubland and steep terrain — create challenges for firefighters, as does the summer heat.
The evacuation comes a year after a major fire swept through the Jerusalem Hills, forcing evacuation of the Haredi yeshiva located in the moshav. The area remains vulnerable to seasonal wildfires, particularly during periods of drought and high temperature.
Kesalon, a moshav of approximately 520 residents located in the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, was founded in 1952. Emergency services said they would continue intensive operations throughout the evening and into the night.
