Fire in Israel’s Prat Stream: Rescue forces evacuate hikers, firefighting planes dispatched

A large fire broke out today (Sunday) in the Prat Stream area in Israel’s Binyamin region, where an estimated 500 hikers are located. Rescue forces are working to evacuate the hikers while simultaneously trying to contain the fire. The IDF has deployed a battalion from the Home Front Command to assist in firefighting and evacuations, and firefighting aircraft have been dispatched. Police stated that there is no danger to the hikers or local residents.

So far, 25 hikers have been evacuated from the stream area, and another 75 are known to be awaiting rescue. Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services reported that evacuating the large number of hikers poses significant challenges, noting that "there are topographic difficulties" making it harder for firefighters to reach the center of the fire.

The police also added that the commander of the Judea and Samaria District, Commissioner Moshe Pinchi, is currently conducting an initial situation assessment at the scene, and that Judea and Samaria District police officers, volunteers from the Megillot Dead Sea Rescue Unit, the police aerial unit, along with forces from the Fire and Rescue Services, the IDF, and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, "continue to work to achieve full control of the fire and are working to evacuate the hikers from the area."

Meanwhile, a separate fire was reported outside the Ramat Gan Safari. Five firefighting teams from various stations in the Dan District worked to contain it, and the fire was extinguished shortly afterward.

This comes just days after several wildfires broke out around Jerusalem, prompting evacuations and a large-scale response by Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services. Last week, strong winds and dry conditions fueled fires in areas including Mesilat Zion and the Jerusalem Forest. While no injuries were reported, several homes were damaged, and residents were temporarily evacuated as a precaution.

Authorities are still investigating the causes of the recent fires, but early assessments suggest that the combination of heatwaves and dry vegetation has significantly increased the risk of wildfires across the country. Fire crews remain on high alert as warmer weather persists and rainfall remains below average for this time of year.

Update: Firefighting forces have brought the fire in the Prat stream area under control, and all hikers are now safe.