Israel declares national emergency, crews battle countries largest fire ever

Crews in Israel battled wildfires for a second day in what officials have called the largest fire ever in the country.

Flames raging near Jerusalem forced evacuations in a number of areas and led to several major road closures, as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze amid dry conditions and high winds.

The situation prompted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a national emergency.

The fire broke out on Israel’s memorial day cancelling many ceremonies including the main event in Jerusalem.