A fierce wildfire broke out Sunday in the Nachal Prat area, near the community of Nofei Prat in the Binyamin region, prompting an urgent rescue operation for dozens of hikers trapped by the flames.
Firefighters from the Yehuda and Shomron District, supported by four firefighting planes and an aerial rescue unit, have been working intensively to evacuate the hikers who found themselves stranded due to the sudden blaze.
According to a statement from Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority, as of this time, the fire has been largely contained. There is currently no immediate danger to either the hikers or local residents. Approximately 100 hikers are still in the area, divided into three groups, all of whom are situated in safe zones.
Given the rugged and challenging topography of the Nachal Prat area, which makes access by foot difficult, additional airborne teams have been deployed, along with aerial support from the Israel Police.
Police Commander of the Shai District Commissioner Moshe Pinchi is on-site conducting situation assessments together with teams from the Fire and Rescue Authority, police, IDF, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Megilot Dead Sea Rescue Unit. Forces continue to work relentlessly to gain full control of the situation and to ensure the hikers’ safe evacuation.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, five firefighting teams from various Dan District stations are battling a brush fire and a burning truck within the Safari area. Firefighters, led by Senior Fire Officer Albert Monis, are focusing on containing and suppressing the flames. At this stage, there are no reports of injuries.

{Matzav.com Israel}