Netanyahu warns that wildfires are spreading and could reach Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday that rapidly spreading wildfires near Jerusalem could reach the city.

Israeli emergency services are on high alert after several devastating fires broke out, mainly in west Jerusalem, the largest in years, which have caused several minor injuries.

"The westerly wind can easily push the fire toward the outskirts (of Jerusalem), and even toward the city itself," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office.

"Right now, the priority is to protect Jerusalem," he added, referring to a "national emergency."

Earlier, Eyal Caspi, the fire brigade commander, said at a press conference that they were "probably" facing "the biggest fire in Israel in a decade."

Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to deploy to control the fires, which are spreading rapidly due to strong winds and high temperatures, calling the situation a "national emergency."

Magen David Adom (MDA) Emergency Services treated at least 23 people with minor injuries and raised the alert threshold to its maximum level.

Israeli police closed the highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Wednesday and evacuated municipalities along the route, in an area already devastated by fires a week ago.

"We are in a state of national emergency, and all available forces must be mobilized to save lives and control the fires," Katz said in a statement.

The soldiers arrived in the mid-afternoon, said an AFP journalist at the scene who saw them helping evacuate people trapped on the roads amid thick clouds of black smoke.

At least five towns have been evacuated, police said, all in an area about 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem.

The flames are devouring wooded areas near the road between Latrun and Bet Shemesh, and several helicopters are trying to extinguish them.

Strong winds facilitated the spread of the fire. Many drivers abandoned their vehicles in the middle of the road and fled.

Lifeguards on motorcycles

Several ambulances have been parked in towns near the fires and are ready to respond, explained MDA first responder Saar Shai, adding that they have also sent a motorcycle unit to assist people stuck in traffic jams.

Emergency services explained that "several teams of medical personnel, intensive care units, and first-response vehicles are providing medical support to firefighting operations near Neve Shalom and Eshtaol," two forest areas west of Jerusalem.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the imminent arrival of three planes from Italy and Croatia to help fight the fires, and also contacted Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria for assistance.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with Israel on social media and offered "material support."

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees the fire department, announced that he had visited the scene of the fires.

In a video, he stated that additional efforts are being made to assist trapped residents.