Forest Fires Are Lighting The Jerusalem Sky Red

During second day of spread, red skies and plumes of smoke visible throughout Jerusalem

Israel is struggling today to contain forest fires active in the hills outside Jerusalem.

The fire is already one of the worst in recent years, with authorities reporting earlier today that it had consumed the majority of the acreage destroyed during the 2010 fires in Israel’s north — which has up to now maintained the record for being the worst fires in the country’s history.

While investigators haven’t yet pinpointed the cause of the blaze, arson hasn’t been ruled out.

In fact, in light of the repeated nature of forest fires in the same area in recent months, many believe that ecological terrorism is the likely culprit.

Homes have been burned, countless dunams of land scorched, and entire towns evacuated. A major Jerusalem hospital was placed on evacuation alert as winds placed it within the spread’s possible path.

Yesterday, Jerusalemites — including the author — began to smell the now familiar and distinctive smell of burning wood — which is finding its way into air conditioning systems and homes throughout the capital. This summer, it’s become an all too familiar scent.

Today, the Jerusalem sky was colored an unusual mixture of orange and red. The air against suffused with the unmistakable smell of burning wood. Emergency and fire services throughout Israel have been working throughout the clock to contain the blaze.

(This is a developing news story).