Israel has asked Bulgaria for help in dealing with the fire near Jerusalem, reports BGNES.

Israel's Defence Minister Katz ordered the military to send troops to support firefighters battling the fast-spreading wildfires near Jerusalem. Katz called the situation a "national emergency." 

According to AFP, other countries that have been asked to help include Cyprus, Greece and Italy.

The country's rescue agency, Magen David Adom (MDA), said hundreds of civilians were currently at risk from the fires.

Sixteen people have been treated for minor smoke inhalation injuries, the MDA said, adding that the alert level has been raised to the highest.

Police closed the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and evacuated residents along the route as bushfires broke out again in the area devastated by fires a week ago. 

"We are facing a national emergency and all available forces must be mobilized to save lives and bring the fires under control," Katz said.

The fire is raging in wooded areas near the main road between Latrun and Beit Shemesh and that helicopters are working to douse the flames.

Many drivers abandoned their vehicles in the middle of the road and fled as a huge plume of smoke billowed from the blaze and the injured were evacuated.

Settlements about 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem were evacuated, Israeli media reported, broadcasting pictures of firefighting teams battling the fierce flames.

High temperatures and strong winds have allowed the fires in the wooded areas to spread rapidly, forcing the evacuation of at least 5 communities.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees Israel's fire service, visited the affected area, which is prone to wildfires at this time of year. 

In a video address, he said efforts were being made to provide more aid in the affected areas and to evacuate stranded civilians. | BGNES