The fire is raging in a forest outside the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh and the flames are spreading quickly with the wind. Hundreds of people have left their cars on a major highway connecting Jerusalem with the metropolis Tel Aviv.
High temperatures and strong winds have caused the fires to spread quickly, leading to evacuations from at least five communities, the police announced in a statement. Several major roads have been closed. According to the rescue service, hundreds of people are in danger.
