Massive Forest Fire Erupts Near Ben Shemen, Disrupting Major Highways
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
A large forest fire erupted Wednesday near Ben Shemen Forest, forcing the evacuation of 400 hikers and the closure of Highways 444 and 6. Over 50 firefighting teams and six aircraft are battling the blaze, which spread rapidly from the Hadid cemetery. The fire is moving towards Neot Kedumim. The article also notes a separate fatal incident involving a child in Beitar Illit.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A large fire in Ben Shemen Forest led to the closure of Highways 444 and 6.
- Approximately 400 hikers were evacuated from the affected area.
- Over 50 firefighting teams and six aircraft are working to contain the blaze.
- The fire started at the Hadid cemetery and spread rapidly due to eastern winds.
- The blaze is advancing towards Neot Kedumim.
- A separate incident of a child's death in a Beitar Illit fire was also mentioned.
A large brush and treetop fire broke out on Wednesday in the Ben Shemen Forest area, near major roadways. Numerous firefighting and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene to contain its spread, evacuating approximately 400 hikers from the affected area. The blaze originated at the Hadid cemetery and, fanned by eastern winds, moved towards Ben Shemen Forest and continued spreading towards Neot Kedumim. It rapidly advanced, jumping across Highway 444 towards Highway 1 and Highway 6, leading to the closure of these roads near the Ben Shemen interchange. Highway 444 was shut in both directions, and Highway 6 was closed northbound. National assistance was mobilized, with about 50 additional firefighting teams from all districts called to the region. Concurrently, six firefighting aircraft were deployed to conduct targeted aerial drops to help suppress the fire. The article also briefly mentions a separate incident two weeks prior where a 10-year-old boy died from an explosion during a fire at a recycling bin in Beitar Illit.
