Israel fires: Blaze near Jerusalem largely controlled

A national emergency was declared and events for Israel's Independence Day on Thursday were cancelled as the fires spread near Jerusalem.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveIsrael fires largely controlled after mass evacuations14 hours agoShareSaveJames ChaterBBC NewsShareSaveGetty ImagesThis garden shop in Mesilat Zion was left charred and in ruinsFires that have ravaged large parts of central Israel since Wednesday have largely been extinguished, the country's Fire and Rescue Authority says.

More than 150 teams have been battling the blaze, which has scorched around 20 sq km (7.7 sq miles) of land in the Latrun area - between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Israel's ambulance service said at least 12 people had been treated for smoke inhalation, but no fatalities have been reported. Seventeen firefighters were injured, according to Israeli broadcaster Kan.

Authorities said hot and dry conditions, with strong winds, made controlling the fires more challenging, and a senior official warned they could flare up again.

"I've been in the service for 24 years, and I've been through many fires," said Shlomi Harush, a deputy commander of Ayalon fire station. "There's no doubt that this is one of the toughest fires I've seen."