A brush fire spreading in a wooded area near moshav Kesalon (Beit Shemesh area) is threatening homes, prompting the evacuation of residents and the closure of Route 395, according to Israeli media reports. Fire and Rescue Services are deploying some 30 firefighting teams and 6 aircraft to contain the blaze.
A brush fire broke out around 16:50 Jerusalem time in a wooded area near moshav Kesalon, located between Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh. Fire crews from the Jerusalem district initially responded to contain the blaze. By 17:06, the fire had spread sufficiently to threaten the first line of homes in the moshav, prompting an evacuation order for those residents, according to Channel 12 reporter Inbar Tuizer. Approximately 30 firefighting teams and 6 firefighting aircraft are operating at the scene. By 17:13, Israel Police and Border Police officers were assisting with the evacuation, and Route 395 was closed to traffic between the Eshtaol Junction and the Sataf area, Ynet reported. No injuries have been reported. The fire is one of several brush fires in the Jerusalem area this summer, though each is a separate incident.
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