A forest fire that broke out below Mount Menuhot in Givat Shaul, at the entrance to Jerusalem, is threatening to reach Jerusalem’s main power station nearby. The IEC building and the compound have been evacuated. Ten firefighting teams are on the scene, as well as additional teams from Beit Shemesh and from Judea and Samaria, as well as firefighting planes.
The eastbound lanes Route 1, the main highway from Tel Aviv, have been blocked near Ginot Sakharov, and additional traffic routes: Akiva Azulay, Kanfey Nesharim, Menachem Chaftzadi and Maginey Yerushalaim have been blocked.
A spokesperson for the firefighting and rescue forces reported that the fire is moving quickly eastbound, driven by the winds. Firefighters have been trying to move between the fire and residential neighborhoods.
The weather forecast in Israel on Wednesday is calling for high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds, an ideal combination for fast-spreading forest fires across the country.
