JERUSALEM (JTA) — A fast-speading fire in Jerusalem led to the evacuation of the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum.
The fire that broke out early Sunday afternoon in the Jerusalem forest and on Mount Herzl was still burning by evening, according to reports.
Several fire and rescue teams and two firefighting planes were fighting the blaze, which was spreading quickly due to the extremely dry conditions and light winds.
Yad Vashem has not yet sustained any damage and the evacuation was orderly, according to reports.
The fire also was approaching the Har Nof and Bayit Vegan neighborhoods of Jerusalem and an oil refinery. Some homes were evacuated as a precaution and the area around the refinery was secured.
The Israeli military was mobilized to help battle the blaze.
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