Massive Wildfire Near Jerusalem Contained After Over 30 Hours of Firefighting
A major wildfire that erupted near Jerusalem has been fully brought under control, Israeli authorities confirmed late Thursday, after more than 30 hours of non-stop firefighting operations across the region.
The fire began around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, triggering evacuations in several neighborhoods, closing major roads, and temporarily halting train operations.
Aerial images released by the Fire and Rescue Service showed flames sweeping through the Eshtaol area on April 23, 2025.
By Thursday evening, the Israel Fire and Rescue Service officially announced that the blaze had been contained.
Fortunately, there were no casualties reported. However, the fire scorched roughly 10,000 dunams (approximately 2,470 acres) of forested land and open countryside. Firefighters, police, soldiers, and volunteers worked together around the clock to combat the blaze.
Jerusalem District Fire Chief Shmuelik Friedman commended the teams for their bravery and tireless efforts.
“Iβm incredibly proud of our crews who faced extreme challenges head-on. Their rapid and coordinated response was key to stopping the fire and preventing further damage,” Friedman said.
He added that many wildfires are caused by human negligence and emphasized the need for the public to follow safety guidelines, especially during the dry summer months.
Emergency teams will stay deployed overnight to monitor the area and extinguish any remaining hotspots. A joint evaluation will be conducted at sunrise to decide the next steps.
Authorities including Mateh Yehuda Police, KKL-JNF, and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority will continue to maintain heightened readiness.
The Fire and Rescue Service once again urged the public to stay alert and act responsibly. βPreventing wildfires is a shared responsibility,β the agency stressed.
