Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services urged the public to avoid parks and forests and to be cautious with barbecues as Independence Day celebrations began.

The holiday is typically marked with family cookouts, raising the risk of fires. At least 12 people were hospitalized on Wednesday, mostly for smoke inhalation, and another 10 were treated on-site, according to Magen David Adom. To combat the blazes, Italy, Croatia, Spain, France, and Romania sent firefighting planes, with more support from North Macedonia and Cyprus. Ten Israeli planes were active Thursday morning, with eight more expected. The main highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv reopened after fire forced drivers to flee the area the previous day. Burned landscapes and pink fire retardant were visible from the road, with smoke still hanging in the air. The situation recalls the deadly 2010 Mount Carmel fire, which lasted four days, claimed 44 lives, and destroyed 12,000 acres of forest.