Firefighters in Israel have brought several major wildfires under control around Jerusalem after the blazes forced evacuations and burned thousands of acres.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a national emergency as the fires disrupted travel on the main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and threatened nearby communities.
Authorities estimate that more than 5,000 acres have been scorched, with flames reaching dangerously close to residential neighborhoods and historic landmarks.
“This is not just a fire in the field—it’s a national threat,” Netanyahu said during a visit to the fire command center. “It endangers lives, communities, and even Jerusalem itself.”
International aid has begun arriving, with firefighting teams and equipment sent from Greece, Cyprus, and Italy. At least a dozen other nations have also pledged support.
Crews are battling the fires on multiple fronts, both on the ground and from the air. However, strong winds have complicated aerial firefighting efforts.
While it’s still unclear if homes or businesses have been lost, images from the affected areas show charred landscapes and burned vehicles.
The fires come amid one of the driest stretches Israel has experienced in the past century. Temperatures have soared to around 100°F (38°C), and the Israel Meteorological Service reports that many weather stations have recorded only half of the expected rainfall for this time of year.
Israel sits in a climatic transition zone, where the arid conditions of the south meet the more temperate Mediterranean climate in the north. On average, Jerusalem receives about 21 inches (535 mm) of rain annually, mostly during the winter.
