Massive Wildfire Near Ben Shemen Forces Complete Closure of Highway 6 and Partial Closure of Highway 1

A large open-area wildfire broke out around midday near the Ben Shemen Forest in central Israel, rapidly spreading toward major transportation routes. Due to the advancing flames and thick smoke severely reducing visibility, authorities ordered a full closure of Highway 6 in both directions near the Daniel Interchange and Ben Shemen, as well as a partial closure of Highway 1 eastbound in the Ben Shemen area. Traffic has been redirected by police to alternative routes, including Highway 444 and Highway 443.

The fire has been fueled by strong winds, accelerating its spread and posing immediate danger to motorists. Firefighting efforts involve 14 ground teams supported by four firefighting aircraft dropping fire retardants to contain the blaze. Police and fire services have urged drivers to avoid the Ben Shemen and Daniel Interchange areas until the fire is fully controlled and to follow instructions from security personnel at roadblocks.

Video footage from a vehicle near the scene shows towering flames reaching the highway barriers and thick black and yellow smoke engulfing the roads, with vehicles crawling through the hazardous conditions just meters from active fire zones. The rapid response by emergency services reflects the seriousness of the situation amid challenging weather conditions.

Authorities continue to monitor the fire closely and coordinate efforts to prevent further spread, emphasizing public safety and minimizing disruption by guiding traffic to safer routes.