Over 1,000 evacuated from summer camp as fire closes in

Some 1,100 campers, counselors and others have been evacuated from a Scouts camp site in central Israel threatened by a large brush fire, according to Hebrew language media reports.

At least nine firefighting crews have been battling a blaze that began in a field near Beit Uzziel, outside Ramle, and has spread toward the town of Karmei Yosef, rescue officials say.

Smoke from a fire in central Israel on July 4, 2022. (Courtesy)

Campers and staff were set to be put on buses and taken to nearby Latrun where they will stay until given the all clear, a spokesperson for the Scouts Movement tells the Walla news site. The camp had previously drilled for such a scenario, the spokesperson says.

Areas near where firefighters are operating have been shut to traffic, police say.