Fire breaks out near Beit Shemesh: First row of homes in moshav Kesalon evacuated

About 30 firefighting crews from the Jerusalem District, aided by 6 firefighting aircraft, battled a brush fire that spread through a wooded area near Moshav Kesalon in the Beit Shemesh region. Due to the intensity of the fire, the first row of homes in the 'Flames of Fire' neighborhood was evacuated. Control was achieved, no damage to homes was reported, and no casualties are known. Route 395 was closed to traffic from the Eshtaol Junction to Sataf.

About 30 firefighting crews from the Jerusalem District, aided by 6 firefighting aircraft operating from the air, battled a brush fire that spread through a wooded area near Moshav Kesalon in the Beit Shemesh region on Sunday. Due to the intensity and rate of spread, a threat was posed to the row of homes in the moshav, prompting the evacuation of the first row of homes in the 'Flames of Fire' neighborhood. The crews concentrated efforts on containing the fire's spread and protecting structures, with the Fire and Rescue Commissioner present in the field directing forces. Border Police units from Jerusalem, along with other rescue organizations, worked to evacuate residents and ensure public safety. Following the fire, Route 395 toward Kesalon was closed to traffic from the Eshtaol Junction to Sataf. Firefighting forces continued to operate at two fire foci, alongside final extinguishing operations, extinguishing smoldering hotspots, and conducting searches to prevent the fire from reigniting. No damage was caused to residential homes, and no casualties are known. Jerusalem District Commander, Fire Chief Shmulik Friedman, stated that the rapid response of firefighters, significant concentration of effort from the ground and air, and cooperation among all parties enabled the containment of the fire's spread and the protection of residents' homes, and that final extinguishing operations would continue in the coming hours to ensure the incident is fully concluded.