The Jerusalem Fire Department on Thursday afternoon provided an update on the forest fire that was burning out of control on Wednesday, dangerously near Mevasseret Tzion, a local municipality in the Jerusalem corridor.

Throughout the day Wednesday, and continuing through the night until early Thursday afternoon, fire and rescue teams continued working with JNF personnel towards bringing the fire under control, as well as preventing it from spreading to homes in Mevasseret Tzion.

The fire in question broke out on Wednesday morning adjacent to Oren Street in Mevassert Tzion. The fire was declared ‘under control’ at 8:00PM on Wednesday, but it still required much strenuous activity, including actions to totally extinguish the blaze which was still smoldering in many areas.

Firefighters on the ground were assisted by the Elad fire plane squadron, working hard to protect the community of Har Adar, as well a Mevasseret Tzion.

A second epicenter of fire was far from Wednesday’s spot in Mevasseret. Beginning on Thursday around noontime, the fire shifted to the Motza neighborhood of Mevasseret Tzion, an area frequented by travelers.

Eight fire houses responded from Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh and Mevasseret Tzion stations.

B’chasdei Hashem, despite the fact homes in Mevasseret Tzion were evacuated, firemen succeeded in containing the blaze and there were no reports of injuries.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)