Forest Fire Near Ben Shemen Closes Highways 1 and 6, Firefighters Battle Blaze

A forest fire broke out Tuesday afternoon near the Ben Shemen interchange, causing major road closures and heavy traffic congestion. Firefighting and police forces are actively working to control the blaze and ensure the safety of road users. The Israel Fire and Rescue Services deployed 21 ground firefighting teams and four aircraft from the Elad firefighting squadron, operating in two main sectors. While firefighters have so far contained the fire's spread, efforts to extinguish it continue.

As a result of the fire, Highway 6 near Ben Shemen was closed in both directions, along with Highway 1 near the interchange. Police redirected traffic from Highway 6 to Route 444, and drivers heading east on Highway 1 were diverted to Route 443. Numerous police units are stationed in the area to manage traffic and assist emergency responders.

Authorities urge the public to avoid the area, follow police instructions, and use navigation apps to find alternative routes. They also emphasize not stopping on road shoulders or making U-turns to bypass closures, to prevent endangering lives and to allow emergency teams to operate without obstruction.