All evacuated residents allowed home following fires, though officials warn of possible resurgence

Israeli authorities have decided to allow all residents of towns evacuated due to wildfires to return home, a spokeswoman for the Fire and Rescue Service says.

She adds that a number of countries are expected to send planes to help Israel combat the blazes, which broke out yesterday morning in the forested hills surrounding Jerusalem.

Evacuated residents can now return to the towns of Sha’ar Hagai, Mesilat Zion, Beit Meir, Shoresh, Neve Ilan, Yad Hashmona and Nataf, northwest of Jerusalem.

Residents of Mevo Horon, a West Bank settlement near Modiin, were permitted to return home earlier this morning following a police assessment. Yesterday, residents of Eshtaol and Mishmar Ayalon — both of which were evacuated — were also allowed to return to the towns.

Though this morning has seen a drop in temperatures and a chance of a slight drizzle, officials warned that fires could surge again in the afternoon with winds expected to pick up and temperatures to increase.