Parts of Zichron evacuated to escape big wildfires

A school and 20 homes burned down in the Givat Eden neighborhood of Zichon Ya’acov, a small hilltop town south of Haifa, as high winds carried woodland fires into the town. Ten adults and children have been treated for smoke inhalation. Parts of the town have been evacuated and highways closed around the town. Fire brigades have come in from neighboring towns and are battling to bring the fire under control. An air squadron aided the effort until nightfall. Smaller blazes erupted in other parts of the country.  Emergency services are on high alert and vacations cancelled as exceptional weather – high winds and dry conditions – increase the threat of fire.