Israel fire department was on alert for forestry fires due to the heavy heatwave today, Wednesday, 9 Sivan.

Fires are reported in a number of areas around Israel. In Tel Monde, three homes were totally destroyed until that blaze was declared under control. B’chasdei Hashem there are no reports of loss of life or injuries. This blaze appears to have begun as a brush fire that spread rapidly due to the hot and dry conditions.

In the Beit Shemesh area, efforts to bring a large blaze in the Nachal Sorek area are ongoing. B’chasdei Hashem there are no reports of loss of life or injuries at this time.

At present, 20 fire apparatus are working the blaze with support from a number of firefighting planes. Beit Shemesh Fire Commander Reuven Yitzchak tells the press they are in the midst of an emergency call up of additional manpower to the Beit Shemesh area.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)