Wildfires have been burning since Wednesday morning in several locations in the coastal plain and the Beit Shemesh area.
The blaze in the Beit Shemesh area burned at three main points in the Tzoraa and Eshta'ol forests, and due to wind, spread toward the villages of Tarum, Taoz, Mesilat Zion, and Khan Sha'ar Hagai.
Residents of Beit Meir, Mesilat Zion, and Eshtaol were evacuated from their homes due to the fire, but were permitted to return to their homes shortly before 11:00 p.m on Wednesday evening.
110 firefighting crews, together with eight firefighting planes, a firefighting helicopter, the Lehava Unit, JNF-KKL crews, and additional bodies have been deployed.
A Border Police officer was moderately injured from smoke inhalation in Moshav Tarum, near Beit Shemesh. She was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment. Three firefighters were also injured during the firefighting efforts.
Fire Commissioner Eyal Caspi has issued a general enlistment order for all firefighters. In addition, police have ordered the evacuation of Eshta'ol, Misilat Tzion, Beit Meir, and Khan Sha'ar Haguy.
"The fire is spreading quickly and the firefighters are working to stop it and to prevent it from spreading to populated areas," a statement read.
At the same time, a large fire broke out near Moshav Petahia in central Israel, leading to the abandonment of vehicles on Highway 6 after drivers fled for their lives. The highway is closed to traffic from the Nesharim Interchange to the Sorek Interchange in both directions. Sixteen firefighting teams, two firefighting planes, and a helicopter are working to stop the spread of the fire.
"The firefighters are working in parallel from the ground and air," the Fire and Rescue Service stressed. "The fire is spreading in the direction of the wind, and effort is being focused on limiting the spread."
