What started as a forest fire has escalated into a city-adjacent crisis, threatening one of Jerusalem’s most serene neighborhoods. As firefighters wage a coordinated land-air assault, Jerusalem stands united against the flames, ready to defend lives and homes in what is shaping up to be one of the most dangerous urban-adjacent wildfires in recent memory.
A powerful and fast-spreading brush fire erupted Monday afternoon in the Karmit Forest, located near the scenic Ein Kerem neighborhood in Jerusalem. What began as a localized blaze quickly turned into a regional emergency, as flames whipped by dry winds surged dangerously close to populated areas, prompting mass evacuations and the deployment of a full-scale national response effort.
Battle Against the Blaze: Hundreds Mobilized
In a massive firefighting operation, over 50 firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene, supported by 35 fire squads, 8 firefighting aircraft, and a police helicopter equipped with aerial surveillance systems. Reinforcements—26 additional fire teams—were reported en route as the fire raged through the wooded terrain, threatening residential zones and critical infrastructure.
🔴 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | WILDFIRE THREATENS BEAUTIFUL EIN KEREM MOUNTAIN VILLAGE ON JERUSALEM SOUTHERN FRINGE pic.twitter.com/SwhBb7nzh7
— Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) June 9, 2025
Evacuations Ordered as ‘Fire Strike’ Declared
Authorities declared a "fire strike" emergency status, triggering the immediate evacuation of the Swedish Village, a peaceful enclave home to a special needs community and a day center for the disabled. Police confirmed the area had been fully evacuated, with contingency plans in place to clear additional zones should the fire breach containment lines.
Nearby roadways have been sealed off, and police forces in coordination with firefighters and paramedics are actively patrolling the area, ready to escalate evacuations at a moment's notice.
Massive Emergency Response: Air, Land, and Rail Impacted
Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service, dispatched ambulances, mobile intensive-care units, and rapid-response teams to the scene, setting up a wide perimeter to treat smoke inhalation victims and any injuries on-site. Medical evacuation buses remain on high alert in the area.
In an extraordinary move, the Jerusalem Light Rail suspended all train operations in the area until further notice. "Passenger safety is paramount," said a rail official. "We are coordinating closely with firefighting and security forces."
FOREST FIRE IN JERUSALEM EIN KEREM AREA OF ISRAEL
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 9, 2025
Currently, 35 firefighting teams, 8 firefighting planes, and a reconnaissance helicopter are operating in three sectors: the Carmit Road sector, the Ein Kerem spring sector, and the main focus—the Swedish Village, which is… pic.twitter.com/50nDjZxiDT
Aerial War Room and Police Air Support
A helicopter from the Israel Police Air Unit is hovering above the blaze, feeding real-time data to emergency command centers below. The air unit is playing a key role in coordinating firefighting aircraft and identifying new fire fronts as they emerge in this unpredictable inferno.
High Alert for Additional Evacuations
Police and Fire and Rescue Services warned that more evacuations may be necessary, depending on wind patterns and terrain vulnerabilities. “We are facing a highly volatile fire,” said a Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson. “Our teams are working relentlessly to create buffer zones and prevent further spread, but the terrain and weather are challenging.”
