The fires began Tuesday in the northern community of Zichron Ya'akov, about 35 kilometers north of Haifa. Authorities ordered the evacuation of 60,000 people in Haifa. Two prisons at Carmel and Damon were also evacuated, with 600 prisoners and 150 prison officers moved by police. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav told reporters that the scale of the fire was "unprecedented in Haifa" and that the city had set up six centers to welcome those evacuated. The Israel Defense Forces' Homefront Command has deployed two search-and-rescue battalions to assist civilian efforts.

Source: Egypt Independent November 25, 2016 08:55 UTC