Multiple firefighting squads were battling out-of-control forest fires outside Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon.
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One fire broke out on Har Haruach outside the city and spread to nearby communities Neve Ilan, Kibbutz Maaleh Hachamisha, Abu Ghosh, and other locations, aided by the hot and dry June weather, combined with strong winds.
Meanwhile, firefighters were also working to contain another large fire that started on Har Eitan.
Video: Roy Haimoff
Commanders of the Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Services issued orders for residents of Kibbutz Maaleh Hachamisa who live in the homes closest to the fire to evacuate.
Four firefighting aircraft were helping the ground crews, and backup forces have been scrambled from other districts.
The KKL-JNF called the fire at Maaleh Hachamisha a "major event," and its own personnel were helping firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Services.
Highway 1 has been closed in both directions starting at the Hemed interchange. Highway 425 toward Nataf has also been closed in both directions, as has the road between Har Adar and Maaleh Hachamisha.
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