Haifa fire: huge traffic jams on main roads, prisons prepare for evacuation

The fire in Haifa continued to rage on Thursday afternoon. Houses were ablaze and thick smoke filled the air in many neighborhoods, mainly Romema, Ahuza and others nearby. There was utter chaos on highways and other main roads after the Israel Police ordered residents to evacuate. Damon Prison, located near Haifa University, and the nearby Carmel Prison were preparing for immediate evacuation. Firefighting aircraft were operating above four areas of the city. Also, the IDF's Home Front Command called up 400 reserve firefighters. For more details on the arson that is only targeting Israel's Jewish cities and towns, see DEBKAfile's special report.