An national emergency has been called in Israel as strong winds and high temperatures have fuelled wildfires outside of Jerusalem.

Fire crews have been battling the blazes, with several people reported to be suffering from burns and smoke inhalation, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s medical emergency service.

The fires have spread through forests in the area, forcing some communities to be evacuated and causing chaos on the roads as residents fled the area, worsened by some train routes being cancelled.

Some events celebrating the country’s Independence Day have also been called off.