Authorities evacuate communities Neve Ilan, Shoresh, Nataf and Yad Hashmona

Emergency services and police are evacuating the communities of Neve Ilan, Shoresh, Nataf and Yad Hashmona, as wildfires in the Jerusalem area continue to spread eastward. So far, 10 communities have been evacuated as a result of the blazes.

Firefighters are concentrating on the area around Shoresh and sending convoys towards the HaMasrek nature reserve, to extinguish the front of “an active and spreading fire,” says a spokesperson for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Earlier, a Super Hercules heavy transport plane, known in the IDF as Shimson, dropped flame retardant in the vicinity of Mesilat Zion. The aircraft can hold up to 18,000 liters (4,755 gallons) of firefighting materials.

Blazes are still raging in several areas outside Jerusalem, including multiple spots in Latrun, Neve Shalom and Eshtaol Forest. There are also fires spreading in Mevo Horon, along Burma Road towards Beit Meir, Mesilat Zion and near a gas station in Sha’ar Hagai.