A forest fire that broke out below Mount Menuhot in Givat Shaul, at the entrance to Jerusalem, is threatening to reach Jerusalem’s main power station nearby. The IEC building and the compound have been evacuated. Ten firefighting teams are on the scene, as well as additional teams from Beit Shemesh and from Judea and Samaria, as well as firefighting planes.

The eastbound lanes Route 1, the main highway from Tel Aviv, have been blocked near Ginot Sakharov, and additional traffic routes: Akiva Azulay, Kanfey Nesharim, Menachem Chaftzadi and Maginey Yerushalaim have been blocked.

A spokesperson for the firefighting and rescue forces reported that the fire is moving quickly eastbound, driven by the winds. Firefighters have been trying to move between the fire and residential neighborhoods.

The weather forecast in Israel on Wednesday is calling for high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds, an ideal combination for fast-spreading forest fires across the country.

Six passengers were killed on the Number 402 bus and at least 20 others were injured, a number of them critical, on Sunday night in a horrific collision on Highway 1.

The accident occurred when the bus crashed into a truck as it was traveling from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak at the Latrun Interchange.

According to the Egged Bus Company, the truck had stopped on the side of the road, but was sticking out onto the main road, and the bus collided with the side that was sticking out.

Sources said that at least three of the fatalities were children.

The wounded are being evacuated by helicopters and ambulances.

Coming to Israel this afternoon or late morning on Wednesday, or going to the airport to meet friends and relatives?

President Barack Obama also is coming, and you are well-advised to take the train and forget about driving.

President Obama has not yet boarded Air Force One in Washington, but Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway that bypasses Ben Gurion Airport, already will be closed to traffic for one hour from around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday because of the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

That is only the preview of what is in store for tomorrow, when the president arrives around noon and will stay at the airport to view the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

There will be a repeat closure of Highway 1 last Friday morning, when President Obama leaves Israel after a 52-hour visit.

Jerusalem residents will feel the brunt of the traffic jams, and all roads around the King David Hotel will be closed off to traffic during his visit.

Residents of Judea and Samaria also will be blocked from 8:15-9:15 Thursday morning and 3:15-4:30 from traveling on the only north-south highway linking Jerusalem to their communities. President Obama is scheduled to visit Ramallah, where a “hot” welcome is planned by anti-American activists and terrorists.

Friday afternoon, Israel returns to normal, with Shabbat coming just in time.