Jerusalem on alert: Wildfires threaten homes, hospitals

Firefighters are operating in reinforced teams at a brush fire in the Karmit Forest near Jerusalem. A fire alert has been declared and instructions were given to evacuate residents near the fire line.

Ambulance crews, intensive care units, and immediate response vehicles from Magen David Adom are securing firefighting operations. Emergency treatment buses have been placed on standby - at this stage, no injuries have been reported.

As of now: Many firefighting forces are operating in three sectors in the Karmit Forest in Jerusalem to contain the fire. About 50 firefighters are on the ground, including 26 teams en route to the event to reinforce the forces.

Firefighting services were instructed to close Karmit Road to vehicle traffic.The police reported that so far the Swedish village has been evacuated and all emergency forces are preparing for further evacuation of nearby institutions, if necessary.