WATCH: Massive wildfires wreak havoc near Jerusalem, communities evacuated, Route 1 to be closed

This morning, several fires erupted in the Lowlands due to extreme weather. In the Eshtaol Forest, near Moshav Tarom in the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, a massive blaze is raging. Fifty firefighting crews are on the scene, backed by four firefighting planes, a helicopter, the “Lahava” unit, KKL-JNF teams, and support from multiple districts.

Twenty more crews are en route. The fire’s intensity and threat to nearby communities prompted Jerusalem District Fire Commander Shmulik Friedman to order police to evacuate Moshav Eshtaol and Mesilat Zion. Route 44 is blocked in both directions, and the public is urged to stay away.

Near Route 6 by Gibton, another fire is threatening transportation infrastructure. About 25 firefighting crews, supported by planes, are working in three main sectors to stop the flames and protect lives and property. They’re focusing on shielding the communities of Petahya and Pedaya, the Gibton Nature Reserve, and the Yatzitz cemetery.

When the fire reached a nearby road, a security vehicle was engulfed; police are investigating the incident. The blaze’s proximity to train tracks has halted rail service in the area, and Route 6 is closed in both directions between the Nesharim and Sorek Interchanges.

The strong winds are worsening the situation, spreading the fires rapidly. Authorities have declared a “fire strike” order and issued a general mobilization across six districts to bring in more resources. In the Route 6 area, train service between Lod and Beer Sheva remains suspended, with Israel Railways redirecting passengers through stations like Ashkelon, Sderot, and Netivot.

Police have started evacuating Pedaya and are preparing to clear other communities if the fires keep spreading, with buses on standby. They’re also protecting nearby areas like Petahya, the Gibton Nature Reserve, and the Yatzitz cemetery. A helicopter from the Israel Police Air Unit is sweeping roads to ensure no drivers are at risk, while officers are moving vehicles from dangerous spots and guiding traffic to safer routes.

Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmulik Greenberg Addresses the Fires:

"Dear Residents,

We are closely monitoring the extensive fires spreading in our region, near the Eshtaol Forest, Moshav Tzora, Beit Meir, Mesilat Tzion, and also along Route 6, where many firefighters are working to prevent harm to communities and property.

▪️ Route 38 is closed in both directions.

▪️ Route 44 and Route 6 (between Nesharim Interchange and Sorek Interchange) are also closed.

I am in direct contact with the Home Front Command and the police, and I want to emphasize: at this time, there is no direct threat to the residents of Beit Shemesh, and no evacuation order has been issued.

Tzachi Elimelech, the Director of the Security and Emergency Division, is on-site at the command center and keeping us updated in real time. We are continuing to monitor developments closely in coordination with all emergency and rescue services.

I urge all residents : Please follow instructions and avoid approaching the fire zones."

Firefighters are battling relentlessly to contain the flames, but the situation remains critical.

UPDATE:

Nature and Parks Authority Update: "As a result of the wildfires burning through the Judean Hills National Park, we’ve shut down the Stalactite Cave Nature Reserve and evacuated everyone safely. We’re also starting to clear out visitors from Ein Hemed National Park in an orderly way, and that site will stay closed too."

There’s intense pressure at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, where they’ve opened the national situation room to handle the wildfire incidents involving hazardous materials, including asbestos.

The ministry is providing guidance to factories in the area and tracking the fires’ spread and closeness to facilities holding hazardous materials and asbestos roofing. Ministry response teams have been sent to the field and are monitoring particle concentrations in the air.

Israel Police Statement issued this statement:

In Response to the Wildfire Incidents: Evacuation of Residents from Several Communities in the Judean Lowlands Has Begun Due to the Risk of Fire Spread

Israel Police forces, Border Police fighters, Fire and Rescue Services, Nature and Parks Authority, community security teams, and other emergency services continue to operate in the field as wildfires spread across multiple locations in the Judean Lowlands.

Due to an immediate life-threatening danger, and in coordination with all relevant authorities, the police have initiated the urgent evacuation of residents from the following communities: Eshtaol, Beit Meir, and Mesilat Zion.A short time ago, at the police’s request, an emergency evacuation alert was sent to residents of these communities by the Home Front Command.

The evacuation is being carried out based on ongoing situation assessments conducted at the unified command post on-site, led by district command, with the goal of saving lives and ensuring residents’ safety.

Instructions for Residents:

Israel Police emphasizes that this is a dynamic and evolving incident, with frequent situation assessments being conducted alongside all emergency and rescue services. Police operations are being carried out both from the air, using helicopters to provide real-time situation updates, and on the ground, with numerous police forces evacuating residents, directing traffic, assisting firefighting efforts, and ensuring public safety and property protection.

Current Traffic Update (Road Status):

Israel Police thanks the public for their alertness and cooperation and urges continued responsible behavior. Civilian discipline and adherence to instructions save lives.

In Case of Emergency – Call 100 | For Information – Call 110"

Just after 4:00pm, Netanyahu arrived at the fire command post in Beit Shemesh.

The IDF explained, "The Home Front Command’s Rescue Brigade, along with ground firefighting crews, Air Force fire trucks, and the Technology and Logistics team, have been out there the last few hours helping put out the wildfires in the Lowland and Jerusalem areas. They’ve got planes up in the air giving them a bird’s-eye view to guide the effort. Everyone’s teaming up with the Israel Police and Fire and Rescue Services to get the job done.

Fighters from the Alon Patrol and Kedem Battalion in the Rescue Brigade got called in to help evacuate communities, working side by side with Home Front Command teams from the Jerusalem and Central Districts."

To tackle the wildfire tearing through the Jerusalem Hills, they’ve also pulled in every firefighter available with a full-on mobilization.

Israel Fire and Rescue Services (Jerusalem District) provided this update:

Due to the influence of the winds, the fire has skipped Route 1, leading to intermittent closures of this major traffic route.

The majority of efforts are now focused on protecting the communities of Mesilat Zion, Beit Meir, and Nahal Ilan by containing the fire’s spread toward them and preventing further expansion.

Fire and Rescue Commissioner Chief Superintendent Eyal Caspi, the Police Commissioner, and the Prime Minister have arrived at the scene to conduct a situation assessment on the ground.

Update (5:00pm)

Route 6 has been opened to traffic.

Update (5:28PM)

So far, 16 victims of smoke inhalation have been treated by United Hatzalah’s ambulance crews and off-road vehicles, with some receiving oxygen.

United Hatzalah has been on the scene since this morning with 30 ambulances, hundreds of paramedics, and off-road vehicles.

Due to traffic disruptions on Route 1 and at the entrance to Jerusalem, complete chaos is reigning in traffic throughout central Jerusalem. Don't go there unless you have to!

UPDATE: (5:40pm)

Israel Fire and Rescue Services provided this Wildfire Situation Update:

Extensive firefighting efforts in the forest fire in the Eshtaol area:

Several yards and rooftops of homes in the community of Mesilat Zion have caught fire.

Firefighting forces will continue efforts to contain the fire throughout the evening and night.

Under the direction of Fire and Rescue Commissioner Chief Superintendent Eyal Caspi, a general mobilization procedure has been activated for all firefighters.

Residents have been evacuated from the at-risk communities: Mesilat Zion, Beit Meir.

Routes 44 and 38 remain closed to vehicle traffic, and the public is requested to follow the instructions of security and rescue forces on the ground.

Netanyahu went to the fire control center, and said: "So far, no community or person has been harmed. We must prevent casualties and deploy the firefighting forces at full strength. Nighttime is a weak point. I suggest, if possible, using 'Shimshon' aircraft (of the Air Force for assistance in nighttime firefighting in open areas and large fires). I propose preparing reserves and reaching out to neighboring countries for aerial firefighting support."

The Air Force is gearing up to support the police and Fire and Rescue Services tonight in putting out wildfires. They are planning to use a Hercules aircraft to drop flame-retardant materials from the air in the Mesilat Zion area.

Situation assessment:

In Mesilat Zion, firefighters are working hard inside and around the community where several yards and rooftops have caught fire. In Beit Meir, crews have set up containment lines to protect the area. In Sha’ar HaGai and Burma Road west of Beit Meir, teams are focused on stopping the fire from spreading further.

Over 100 firefighting crews are on the scene, and intensive operations will continue through the night. The command post and forces will stay on-site, with plans for extensive searches at dawn to find remaining fire hotspots.

Another situation assessment is scheduled for 10:00 p.m., led by Fire and Rescue Commissioner Chief Superintendent Eyal Caspi, aiming to get residents back to their homes as soon as possible.

The fires have taken a toll on responders. Three firefighters and one Border Policewoman sustained minor injuries from smoke inhalation and were evacuated for medical treatment. A separate report noted another Border Policewoman was moderately injured in Moshav Tarom and also received medical care. United Hatzalah treated 16 people for smoke inhalation, some needing oxygen, with 30 ambulances and hundreds of paramedics on-site since morning.

Evacuations continue for at-risk communities. Eshtaol, Beit Meir, and Mesilat Zion have been cleared, with all residents of Mesilat Zion evacuated and sent to Tzora and Beit Nekofa.

Police, Border Police, Fire and Rescue Services, the Nature and Parks Authority, and community security teams are coordinating the effort, supported by the IDF’s Home Front Command Rescue Brigade, including Alon Patrol and Kedem Battalion fighters, ground crews, Air Force fire trucks, and aircraft providing aerial imagery.

Residents are urged to leave immediately with only essentials, ensure everyone including kids, the elderly, and pets is accounted for, and avoid fire zones, which pose a real danger.

Route 38 has opened up between on the way to Jerusalem.