[VIDEO, PHOTOS & EARLIER UPDATES IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

15:55: The Environmental Affairs Ministry is calling on the residents of Even Sapir, Ora, Aminadav, Tzur Hadassah, and southwestern Jerusalem to remain indoors due to the heavy smoke condition resulting from the blaze between Even Sapir and Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

15:37: Firefighters rescued monks from a monetary near Even Sapir as the fire appears to be heading to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

15:24: As the blaze continues burning out of control, Channel 2 News quoting Israel Police officials’ reports there is now a fear the fire will spread to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital complex.

15:17: Magen David Adom reports a large force is standing by in areas around the fire scene as firefighters continue battling the blaze. As of now, one person suffering from light smoke inhalation was transported to a local hospital.

15:01: Ichud Hatzalah officials’ report volunteers from Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Mevasseret Tzion, Telshe Stone and other areas have been standing by as firefighters continue battling the blaze which is still out of control. Other volunteers from the ambucycle unit are standing by should their assistance be required.

14:48: Being that firefighters and equipment from the center of the country and other areas have been called to the Even Sapir blaze, the department has begun calling up off duty personnel.

14:40: Officials in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital are in constant contact with Israel Fire Service and Israel Police officials’ and B”H, there is no need to evacuate patients at present since they do not believe the fire will reach the hospital buildings.

14:10: Police open Highway 1 to the capital from Latrun to private vehicles and passenger buses. Heavy vehicles being rerouted to Highway 443.

14:05: The Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway has been closed in the direction of the capital from Latrun as the fire continues spreading.

14:03: Fire Service and Israel Police officials fear the fire, which continues to rage out of control, is the result of arson, possibly an act of terror.

13:41 IL: The blaze is now moving towards the parking lots of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Police have shut access to the community. The road from Kerem Junction to Hadassah Ein Kerem has been closed. The road between Kerem Jct. and Nes Harim has also be closed, in both directions. Vehicles are not permitted on Route 1 eastward, diverted to Highway 443.

Police are preparing to close Route 1 from Latrun to the capital as well due to the fire, which is burning out of control.

13:35: chicken coops and at least one home now engulfed in the flames which continue to spread.

13:15 IL: A major forest fire continues burning out of control from Ein Keren to Even Sapir in the Jerusalem corridor. Firefighters are working with fire planes to bring the blaze under control.

As the fire spread to Even Sapir, some residents have been evacuated from their homes.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo: Israel Police + Israel Fire Service)