(JNS) Massive wildfires sweeping through central Israel on Wednesday, April 23 have triggered widespread evacuations, road closures, and a full-scale emergency response as flames threaten residential areas near Jerusalem.

The evacuated communities include three moshavs: Eshtaol, Mesilat Zion and Beit Meir and initial estimates speak of at least 3,500 evacuees.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined three priorities in the response to the fires: Avoiding loss of life; containing the fires, and keeping them from spreading further into the Jerusalem area; and coordinating with neighboring countries willing to assist firefighting efforts if local resources fall short.

“Up until this moment, no community has suffered damage and no person has been injured,” he said. “…If you have the possibility of using the Samson planes, that’s good. Exercise caution, of course, but it is important,” Netanyahu was filmed telling the heads of the taskforce handling the fires.

“Samson” is the Israeli Air Force name for Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, which recently have been converted for use in fire emergencies. The aircraft can hold up to 15,000 liters (3,960 gallons) of water or fire retardant, which can be discharged in a single massive drop within seconds or spread out over several smaller releases.