Police investigating fires near Jerusalem

An Israeli traffic police directs drivers as fire burns in the forest in Jerusalem, Tuesday, June. 26, 2012. Two large forest fires on the outskirts of Jerusalem snarled traffic wafting smoke across the city and temporarily closed the main highway with Tel Aviv. Last week, the governments watchdog agency issued a report that blamed senior government officials for mismanaging the worst fire in the nation’s history which claimed 44 lives in 2010.

Oded Balilty, Associated Press

1 of 3

A fire plane drops fire retardant to extinguish fire burning in the forest in Jerusalem, Tuesday, June. 26, 2012. Two large forest fires on the outskirts of Jerusalem snarled traffic wafting smoke across the city and temporarily closed the main highway with Tel Aviv. Last week, the governments watchdog agency issued a report that blamed senior government officials for mismanaging the worst fire in the nation’s history which claimed 44 lives in 2010.

Oded Balilty, Associated Press

2 of 3

Israeli border police officers block the main highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as fire burns in the forest in Jerusalem, Tuesday, June. 26, 2012. Two large forest fires on the outskirts of Jerusalem snarled traffic wafting smoke across the city and temporarily closed the main highway with Tel Aviv. Last week, the governments watchdog agency issued a report that blamed senior government officials for mismanaging the worst fire in the nation’s history which claimed 44 lives in 2010.

Oded Balilty, Associated Press

3 of 3

JERUSALEM — Two large forest fires on the outskirts of Jerusalem sent smoke wafting across the city and temporarily closed the main highway to Tel Aviv.

Police say several people were treated for smoke inhalation, and an unknown number of people were evacuated from the affected area before the blaze was brought under control Tuesday.

Traffic on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, one of the nation's busiest, was backed up for about 50 kilometers (30 miles).

Jerusalem police chief Niso Shaham said the fire was probably set deliberately. Several arrests were made over the past few weeks in series of suspicious fires that caused damage in Jerusalem, he said.

Next Up In U.S. and world

Fed raises interest rates by 0.5%, the highest rise since 2000

Here are the 14 inductees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Why was President Biden talking about Utah’s 2002 Winter Games at the White House?

CDC reinstates mask recommendation for planes, trains

While U.S. hits new job quitting record, this man set his own record — 84 years at the same company

The U.S. housing market is historically overvalued. Moody’s says these cities may see prices drop up to 10%