Blaze in east Haifa threatens homes

A large brushfire ignited in east Haifa on Thursday afternoon, prompting police to begin evacuating the surrounding neighborhoods.

Fourteen firefighting crews and five airplanes fought to contain the blaze, but at 4:30 p.m. the fire was still raging, according to Army Radio.

Residents of the Neve Shaanan neighborhood were evacuated from their homes, and local roads were closed to traffic on account of the thick smoke. Residents of adjacent streets were instructed to close their doors and place damp towels beneath their windows to prevent smoke from entering their homes.

By evening, the blaze had been brought under control.