Jerusalem, 19 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Fire and Rescue Services reported that four firefighting aircraft are operating at the scene of a fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon in the Hebron Hills and that reinforcement crews from neighboring districts are en route. The fire is advancing toward the town of Afeka in the Southern Hebron Hills.
The fire is advancing both through the woodland adjacent to the community and across the open areas surrounding it. The first crews to arrive at the scene reported a wide fire line in the woodland adjacent to the community, which is moving toward residents’ homes driven by the winds.
Firefighters and volunteers are operating across several sectors; the fire’s rate of spread is fast, and the firefighting aircraft are working to extinguish the flames before they reach residents’ homes.
The main effort of the firefighting aircraft and ground crews is focused on creating firebreaks.
Route 60 in the area of the fire has been blocked in both directions by police officers from the Hebron Station.