Several countries are sending firefighting aircraft to Israel as crews battle for a second day to extinguish a wildfire that had shut down a major highway linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and sent drivers scrambling from their cars.

Many of Israel's Independence Day celebrations have been canceled as the nation battles its worst fire in a decade; hot, dry weather and strong winds have contributed to the fire's ferocity.

After international assistance from countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Italy and other European nations, Israeli authorities reported making progress in wildfires that erupted around Jerusalem. Authorities said they detained more than a dozen individuals who had suspected involvement in the fires.