Video: Turkish truck driver transformed his milk tanker into an improvised firefighting vehicle. Credit: Social media

Akram Aslami, a milk tanker driver from Denizli province in southwestern Turkey, drove on a mountain road after loading milk at a local cooperative and was on his way to unload the valuable cargo. At one of the road's curves, he noticed thick smoke and flames consuming the nearby brush, but instead of continuing his journey, he decided to take action. Aslami got out of the truck, activated the milk pump in reverse, and began spraying jets of milk toward the flames. Passersby who arrived helped the brave driver direct the stream and even began firefighting efforts around him using clothes and water bottles. A short video, documented by one of the passersby, captured the truck driver's heroism as he faced the flames while he and several other people worked to extinguish the fire using the valuable cargo he had transported.

"After about half an hour, the police and firefighters arrived and replaced me. I asked if they needed me for anything else, and they said there was no need," the truck driver told one of the Turkish media outlets after the incident. Aslami's actions helped stop the fire's spread at a critical stage, which allowed firefighting forces to gain control of the flames. "I didn't do anything unusual, that's how they taught me to behave," Aslami said in an interview.

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Multiple fires broke out Wednesday in two locations: near Highway 6 at the entrance to Moshav Tarum in Mateh Yehuda and in nearby forests. Weather conditions and strong winds led to the expansion of fire zones. Near Highway 6, traffic was closed along the route for vehicles and trains. One firefighter was injured. A general mobilization was declared in six districts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the firefighting command post.

Earlier, residents were evacuated from Moshav Pediya. Due to imminent danger to life, police began immediate evacuation of residents from the communities of Eshta'ol, Beit Meir, and Mesilat Zion. Residents living in these communities received an emergency evacuation alert a short time ago issued by the Home Front Command at the request of police.

United Hatzalah reports that Mesilat Zion has been completely evacuated and is surrounded by fire, with volunteers en route to rescue two disabled individuals from there. Beit Meir has been partially evacuated. About 200 volunteers are operating in three locations: 30 ambulances, 4 mobile intensive care units, and 10 all-terrain vehicles. So far, three people have been treated for minor injuries.

Road closures: Highway 38 (Sha'ar HaGai – Beit Shemesh): intermittently opened and closed to traffic in both directions as needed. Highway 44 (Nachshon – Tarum): still closed to traffic. Highway 6 (Nesharim – Sorek): still closed to traffic.

Highway 6 area

Firefighters are operating in three main sectors in an effort to contain the fire and protect lives and property. Forces are working to defend the communities of Petahya and Pediya, the Givton Nature Reserve, and the Yatzitz Cemetery. About 25 firefighting teams are operating in the field with the assistance of firefighting aircraft, aiming to stop the fire's spread and prevent further damage.

As the fire spread and reached a nearby road, a security vehicle was caught in flames – the circumstances of the incident will be investigated. Due to the danger near the railway track, train traffic in the area was stopped. Additionally, vehicle traffic on Highway 6 was halted between the Nesharim and Sorek interchanges in both directions.

INSANE SCENE IN ISRAEL
A fire truck swallowed by flames

yes, the rescuers themselves are under attack.

Massive wildfires rage near Jerusalem suburbs, with Beit Shemesh and nearby towns in immediate danger.

This isn't a drill..

This is a national emergency! https://t.co/x5uuaFirPr pic.twitter.com/y5UKm8gwuN

— JFeed News (@JFeedIsraelNews) April 23, 2025

 Extensive forest fire in Eshta'ol Forest: Fire and Rescue forces continue at this hour to battle the ongoing forest fire in the Eshta'ol area, in mountainous terrain that is complex and has limited accessibility. The fire is active in three main locations and is spreading due to winds, near the communities of Tarum, Ta'oz, Mesilat Zion, and Khan Sha'ar HaGai.

More than 110 firefighting teams and volunteers from all districts are operating in the field, along with eight firefighting aircraft, a firefighting helicopter, the LAHAVA unit, JNF teams, and additional support agencies. Under the direction of Fire and Rescue Commissioner, Chief Fire Officer Eyal Caspi, the Red Wave command (national effort concentration) was activated.

At the same time, evacuation of communities at risk began: Eshta'ol, Mesilat Zion, Beit Meir, and Khan Sha'ar HaGai. Highways 44 and 38 were closed to vehicle traffic, and the public is requested to follow the instructions of security and rescue forces in the field. Twenty all-terrain vehicles of "Chariots of Fire" with rapid firefighting kits are on their way to the event.

Due to the multiple fire locations, and under the guidance of firefighting authorities, train traffic was halted in recent hours at the following stations: Ramla, Beit Shemesh, Mazkeret Batya, Kiryat Malachi Yoav, Kiryat Gat, and Lehavim Rahat.

Deputy Director of MDA's Ayalon Region, Paramedic Rami Meushar said, "Since the morning hours we have prepared and conducted situation assessments together with firefighting and police forces. MDA ambulance teams have been positioned at points close to communities near the fires and are ready to provide medical treatment and assist residents. MDA's intensive care buses are also on standby and if evacuations are needed, they will take part. MDA's motorcycle unit has been reinforced and is prepared to provide medical response to citizens in their vehicles in the large traffic jams. For any medical need, dial 101."

Rami Zaritzky, Emergency Forest Fire Protection Officer at JNF said, "We are currently operating in the field, together with fire and rescue agencies, with the aim of containing the fire and preventing further damage. We call on the public to act responsibly – avoid coming to the Eshta'ol and Tzora forests. Protecting the forest is a shared mission for all of us."

Video: Wildfire in central Israel on April 23, 2025. Credit: Jewish National Fund

The Ministry of Environmental Protection opened its national situation room handling fire events involving hazardous materials and air pollution that endangers the population.

The ministry is monitoring the spread of the fire to residential areas and their proximity to factories storing hazardous materials and asbestos roofs. At the same time, ministry inspectors and Sorek Environmental Unit inspectors have gone to the field to monitor airborne particle concentrations and are working in cooperation with Fire and Rescue Services, Israel Police, and other forces operating in the field.

United Hatzalah volunteers have been operating in recent hours at several fire locations. Upon receiving reports of the fires breaking out, heightened readiness was declared among organization volunteers in the relevant areas, who responded quickly and diligently to the various scenes.

Command posts (forward command centers) were established by United Hatzalah at the various fire locations, aimed at coordinating volunteer activities and providing initial medical response if necessary. United Hatzalah ambulances, 4x4 vehicles, and EasyRider vehicles arrived at the scenes to enable quick and efficient access to all affected areas.

The District Commander examined the fire's implications for public safety and traffic arrangements, and following the situation assessment, directed crews to scan the routes with assistance from the Israel Police Air Unit helicopter and ensure no danger to road users, alongside evacuating vehicles from dangerous road sections and directing traffic to safe routes. Police ask drivers to pay attention to instructions and traffic arrangements, which are distributed through all media outlets.

WATCH: Massive wildfires wreak havoc near Jerusalem, communities evacuated, Route 1 to be closed

Major roads like Route 6 near the Sorek Interchange, Route 38, and Route 44 are closed to traffic. Also, fire officials are now debating whether to declare a "Red Torch," a general… pic.twitter.com/0AoGd2u1HU

— JFeed News (@JFeedIsraelNews) April 23, 2025

Fires in JNF forests

Massive fires broke out in JNF forests. Nature and Parks Authority firefighting teams along with Fire and Rescue forces are operating at two locations due to spreading fires, one in the Givton Springs Nature Reserve area and the other in the Judean Hills National Park area. JNF asks the public to follow instructions and avoid approaching the area – this is a real danger to human life.

The Stalactite Cave Nature Reserve has also been closed, and all visitors have been safely evacuated. An orderly evacuation of visitors from Ein Hemed National Park has begun and the site will be closed. The public is requested not to visit these sites.

Givton Springs Nature Reserve has been damaged by the fire and will be closed to visitors until further notice. Khan Sha'ar HaGai is closed to visitors; its reopening will be updated on the Nature and Parks Authority website.

Brush fire in Moshav Nir Benim

In the afternoon, a report was received at the 102 hotline of the Southern District about a brush fire that broke out near the community of Nir Benim. Firefighter teams from Ashdod, Kiryat Malachi, and Gan Yavne stations were dispatched to the scene. Forces have been working for many hours to contain the fire's spread and prevent damage to nearby homes and agricultural areas.

After extensive efforts by forces operating in the field, full control of the incident was achieved; there were no casualties, but extensive damage was caused to vegetation in the area.

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Viral images circulated across social media platforms last weekend depicting Hollywood's iconic white sign overlooking Los Angeles consumed by flames. While this unsettling sight shocked millions globally, it was completely fabricated. The fire never reached Mount Lee, and the famous landmark remained untouched. These AI-generated fake images that captivated the world represent just a fraction of the false narratives and conspiracy theories surrounding the fires that have now spread across 45 square miles, claimed nine lives, and forced 180,000 residents to evacuate – with damages estimated at $150 billion.

The search for culprits behind this natural disaster began last week and has itself become mired in conspiracy theories. The first target was Kristin Crowley, the Los Angeles Fire Department Chief. Kristin has served in the organization for 22 years, led multiple departments, and has held her current leadership position since 2022. Beyond her professional role, the fire chief is also an openly lesbian woman who actively champions LGBTQ rights. Since the fires erupted, Kristin has endured intense online criticism, with thousands of users claiming she prioritized gender advocacy over fire prevention.

"' Do you really think that DEI really made the damage from these fires worse?' Uh yeah, I do. DEI was the fire chief's focus and the department + the city spent money on DEI while dangerous brush hadn't been cleared and fire hydrants didn't have water," conservative activist Robbie Starbuck said on his X account. The post gained widespread attention after being shared by Elon Musk. The world's wealthiest individual and Donald Trump's close ally also amplified the statement of Alex Jones, widely known as "America's conspiracy theorist," who claimed that the fires were deliberately set as part of a global plan to wage economic warfare.

Regarding the city's fire hydrant situation, Donald Trump publicly accused Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom of responsibility for Los Angeles's water supply difficulties. The incoming president alleged that Newsom refused to sign a water rehabilitation declaration that would have permitted the use of millions of gallons of water to combat the fires. The governor's office rejected this claim, stating "There is no water rehabilitation document, it's pure fantasy," but the BBC revealed that Newsom had indeed opposed – in 2020, during Trump's first term – increasing water allocation to Southern California.

Karen Bass, Los Angeles mayor since 2022, faced similar harsh criticism over her environmental policy decisions. Some went so far as to claim she bore direct responsibility for the massive fires, orchestrated the disaster, and should be held accountable. While Bass did reduce the fire department's budget about a year ago, cutting $17.6 million from a total budget of $820 million, she defended her actions: "It's most important to understand that we were in tough budgetary times – everybody knew that – but that the impact of our budget really did not impact what we've been going through over the last few days."

The conspiracy theories currently circulating worldwide extend to California's two powerhouse industries: technology and entertainment. These theories suggest the severe fires weren't caused by negligence or natural disasters but resulted from deliberate arson to advance the SmartLA 2028 plan: building a new city from Los Angeles' ashes, governed by artificial intelligence. This theory draws inspiration from an obscure 2020 document discussing the city's "digitalization" and the use of laser weapons against an unspecified enemy.

And of course, there's Hollywood – where conspiracy theorists claim that certain celebrities orchestrated the fires to cover up their alleged crimes. This narrative focuses on Sean (Diddy) Combs, who faced rape and human trafficking accusations in September. Some online theories claim the existence of a tunnel connecting the rapper's residence to the Playboy mansion – a passage never discovered. Conspiracy theorists argue the fire stemmed from desperate attempts to destroy this alleged tunnel and eliminate evidence that could further compromise Diddy and his associates. They point to the destruction of numerous celebrity homes in the fire as supposed evidence.

A more credible theory still under investigation suggests the fire resulted from severe environmental conditions exacerbated by climate change. This scenario proposes that initial ignition, combined with failures in the regional power grid, not only went unchecked but spread rapidly. Perhaps most concerning to Americans is that California – despite being among the best-prepared states for such disasters – was reduced to ashes. This raises an alarming question: what might happen if similar fires erupted across other US states? The implications could be catastrophic.

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The wildfire that has brought sheer devastation to Maui is especially heartbreaking for Hawaii because it struck one of its most historic towns and the onetime capital of the former kingdom.

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Lahaina holds deep cultural significance for Hawaiians. The town was once the royal residence of King Kamehameha, who unified Hawaii under a single kingdom by defeating the other islands' chiefs. His successors made it the capital from 1820 to 1845, according to the National Park Service.

Kings and queens are buried in the graveyard of the 200-year-old stone Wainee Church. Later named Waiola, the church that once sat up to 200 people was photographed apparently engulfed in flames this week.

Dozens of people were killed and hundreds of structures were damaged or destroyed in the blaze that ignited Tuesday and quickly spread throughout the western Maui community of less than 13,000 residents.

It's feared that the fire also consumed much of Lahaina's historic Front Street, home to restaurants, bars, stores and what is believed to be the United States' largest banyan, a fig tree with aerial roots that grow out of branches and eventually reach the soil and become new trunks.

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Forest fires across south-central Chile that have left 24 people dead and swallowed up hundreds of houses spread into new areas on Wednesday after raging overnight, burning up the habitats of vulnerable woodland animals.

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Chile's national forests association CONAF said on Wednesday that the area affected by the fires had spread to over 300,000 hectares (741,315 acres) – an area nearly twice the size of Greater London.  Authorities said some 2,180 people have been injured and 1,180 houses have been destroyed, with most of the deaths and damages in the south-central Biobio, Araucania, and Ñuble regions.

In the rehabilitation center in Chillan, the capital of the Ñuble region, veterinarians treated burns on animals native to the woodlands.

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Israel Fire and Rescue Services Commissioner Dedi Simchi has informed Public Security Minister Omer Bar-lev that there is no reason to call in the cavalry to help contain the massive wildfires that erupted around Jerusalem on Sunday, and that Israel can cancel requests for assistance from Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and France.

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During a tour of the fire areas, Simchi and Bar-lev met with firefighters and expressed appreciation for their devoted word.

Chief of the Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Services Nissim Twito said, "in the next few hours, with comfortable weather and high humidity, we will make a concentrated effort to put out the localized fires still burning in Shoeva, Beit Meir, Ramat Raziel, Eitanim, and Givat Yaarim."

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While Israel is cautiously optimistic it can forgo international aid, the Israeli Air Force has been called up, with Super-Hercules aircraft scrambled into service to dump flame retardant on the active fires.

This is a trial, as the aircraft were not intended to be used for fighting fires, but the IAF has agreed to send them in.

The fire has burned some 5,000 acres of forested land on the outskirts of Jerusalem since it erupted Sunday afternoon has died down somewhat.

"The fire subsided overnight, but there are still lots of localized fires close to communities," an Israel Police official announced, adding that residents of the evacuated Givat Yaarim and Kibbutz Tzova were still under orders to stay away. The fires have damaged the electricity grid close to both communities.

"There are several locations where low-level fires are still burning. All in all, the situation is contained, I hope I will be the bearer of good news today," Simhi said in an interview to Kan Bet Radio.

As of Tuesday morning, Highway 395 was still closed in both directions. Residents of Ramat Raziel and Kislon were allowed to use the road to get home if they showed proof of address. Highway 386 was shut down out of concern that the fire could spread to the road. Highway 3955 between Shoeva Square and Beir Meir was open.

On Monday evening, after the fires forced thousands of residents of communities west of Jerusalem to evacuate their homes, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ordered Bar-Lev and the National Security Council to reach out for international help getting the fire under control.

Bennett also instructed the Defense Ministry and the IDF to do all they could to help the firefighting, evacuation, and rescue efforts. He also said that the possibility of calling in the Israeli Air Force to supply additional air support should be examined.

"We cannot hesitate when it comes to evacuating communities and people, we need to take an aggressive approach and get everyone out," Bennett said, stressing that the number one priority was saving lives.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, on Monday and asked Dendias to prepare to send firefighting aircraft to Israel. The Greek foreign minister promised that Athens would do all it could to help. Lapid's office also reached out to Cyprus, France, and Italy to ask for aid fighting the fire.

Later Monday, the Fire and Rescue Services announced that residents of Kibbutz Tzuba, Ein Naquba, and Ein Rafah could return home, but residents of Givat Yaarim were still under orders to stay away.

Discussing the fire, which erupted Sunday, Bar-lev and Simchi said they hoped that to "finish the event" by Tuesday. Simchi compared the Jerusalem fire to the Carmel forest fires of 2010 in scope. By Monday evening, nearly 20,000 dunams (nearly 5,000 acres) had gone up in flames.

Simchi confirmed that the fire had been caused by people, although whether it was a case of negligence or arson was still unclear.

"We will continue to investigate and the moment there are results, we will hand them over to the appropriate people. There are 88 firefighting teams that can keep working tomorrow [Tuesday], as well," Simchi said, adding that the personnel had already been in action for 30 hours straight.

"Until the fire is completely out, there is concern that small ones could reignite," the commissioner explained.

Earlier Monday, it had appeared that Hadassah Ein Karem Medical Center might have to be evacuated. Luckily, Simchi said, firefighting aircraft had prevented the fire from reaching the medical complex.

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A wildfire erupted in a forested area near Mevasseret Zion outside Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon, prompting an evacuation of some residents nearest to the fire line.

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Authorities shut down eastbound traffic on Highway 1 from the Hemed interchange. The Latrun interchange was also shut to eastbound traffiice

Report of a brush fire came in shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday. The Mevassaret Zion local authority reported that the fire was spreading toward the Nof Harim neighborhood and that first responders and firefighters were on the scene, trying to contain it. By 3:20 p.m. residents of Nof Harim closest to the fire had been evacuated.

Six firefighting aircraft were scrambled to support the firefighters from the air.

Some parliamentarians-designate were concerned that the road closures would prevent relatives from arriving to see them sworn in on Sunday afternoon.

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Last Wednesday, multiple firefighting squads were called in to battle out-of-control forest fires outside Jerusalem.

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.

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.

The KKL-JNF called the fire at Maaleh Hachamisha on Wednesday a "major event," and its own personnel were helping firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Services.

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Police reported that all residents of Kfar Oranim were being evacuated, and a few homes had caught fire. A squadron of four firefighting aircraft were also trying to douse the flames from the air.

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The fire, fueled by unusually hot, dry weather, was spreading toward Kfar Ruth and Lapid, and four teams of firefighters were deployed near those communities to prevent it from reaching the homes.

Watch: the fire near Moshav Margaliot 

Video: Lilach Shoval

The cause of the fire was under investigation, and officials were looking into a possible link between it and fires that were set overnight Thursday during riots and clashes between residents of Modi'in Illit and police forces who were trying to break up gatherings held against COVID public health regulations.

A total of 13 rioters were arrested, and many others were fined.

Firefighters from the Modi'in Illit station worked all night to put fires set by young protesters, while being pelted with rockets, bottles, and various other objects.

Also on Friday, a natural wildfire broke out in the village Umm al Kutuf in Wadi Ara. Firefighters and police were working to evacuate local residents, and firefighting aircraft were deployed.

At the end of an emergency meeting to assess the situation, Deputy Commander of the Menashe District Chief Supt. Rami Raz said, "This is a fire that originated in the local brush. Right now it is not under control, and we have started evacuating homes in the village. The police is asking the public to follow instructions and traffic changes, which are being shared via the media."

Other fires were reported in northern Israel in the Churchill Forest in Nof Hagalil and near the Eilut-Zippori intersection. Firefighting teams were battling those blazes, as well as a fifth that began near Moshav Margaliot on the northern border.

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Responding to the emergency, President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance.

Two clusters of wildfires in the San Francisco Bay Area grew to become the second- and third-largest wildfires in recent state history by size.

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