Three fires broke out in the Lachish region on Tuesday, destroying an estimated 20,000 dunams.

Firefighter spokesman Meir David told Arutz Sheva that the fire was started by IDF fire during training. “The fire spread quickly due to the weather – the strong wind and low humidity – and to it being a topographically complex area,” he said.

Several firefighting squads and two helicopter units are working to put out the blaze.

Fires were reported at two other points as well – one near Moshav Shekef and one near Sde Moshe. The fire near Moshav Shekef “is spreading quickly,” David said. However, he added, “There is no danger to residents, and we have not announced an evacuation.”

Firefighters are trying to avoid predictions, he said. “Yesterday we thought we had finished with an event, and then the wind shifted by 180 degrees and in the end we were done only at one a.m.,” he explained.

A fire was reported in northern Israel as well, near the town of Amnon in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) region. Helicopters were called to help several teams of firefighters put out the blaze.

Several homes in Amnon were evacuated as the fire approached the community.