Thousands evacuated as fires rage across northern Israel [Video]

Tens of thousands of people were told to evacuate their homes and businesses in northern Israel as wildfires continue to burn throughout the country.

Thursday was the third day that wildfires blazed unchecked in areas throughout Israel. The fires were fanned by dry conditions and high winds.

The fires burned homes and businesses in Haifa, and residents of at least 11 neighbourhoods were told to evacuate.

Fires near Jerusalem also briefly closed Route 443, a main highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, fires led to the evacuation of thousands from Zichron Ya’akov, located at the southern tip of the Carmel Forest in northern Israel, destroying several homes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to request assistance in extinguishing the fires. The Prime Minister’s Office in a statement said that Russia offered to immediately send two …