IN BRIEF: Forest fire cuts Jerusalem road link

Forest fire cuts Jerusalem road link

Shoresh - The biggest fire in Israel's history raged in pine forests outside Jerusalem, injuring 19 people and cutting the main highway linking the city to Tel Aviv for six hours. Flames, whipped by high winds, left Jerusalem's western outskirts smelling of burning wood as ashes drifted on to streets. Reports said four communities west of the city had been evacuated and that 30 houses were burned, 20 being destroyed. The blaze, whipped by strong winds, came on the hottest July day in 100 years. Reuter