Jerusalem-area fire may be the biggest in recent years — top official

A senior official says today’s massive fire near Jerusalem may be the biggest in recent years in the area.

Fire and Rescue Services Jerusalem District Commander Nissim Twito also says in a briefing that 60-70 firefighting teams and 12 planes and helicopters are battling the blaze.

Twito says the forces have narrowly managed to prevent the flames from reaching the community of Beit Meir, and have completed the evacuation of residents in other threatened communities and at the Eitanim psychiatric hospital.

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