This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.
Debbie Harms, left, and Shana LeBlanc enjoy the sun and vibes on Hippie Hill where a Volo Sports, "Peace, Love and Volo Sports" event that coincided with Easter gatherings, and an unofficial 420 gathering at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park in San Fr, on Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A tie-dyed flag waves as people walk by Hippie Hill where a Volo Sports, "Peace, Love and Volo Sports" event that coincided with Easter gatherings, and an unofficial 420 gathering at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park in San Fr, on Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A customer at Have a Heart cannabis dispensary poses for a photo while wearing marijuana-themed leaf socks Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Alexx German displays a joint in the shape of a cross for a customer at Star Buds, a recreational marijuana dispensary, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A sign for 4/20 specials is seen at Star Buds, a recreational marijuana dispensary, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Cannabis products are seen for sale at Have a Heart cannabis dispensary Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
An inflatable joint is held over "Asmodeus" to judge applause levels for a costume contest during a "Bad Habits" Easter and 420-themed event at Queer/Bar Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
DJ Baby Van Beezly, right facing, talks with performer and musical artist ToX!c as she holds up an inflatable joint during a "Bad Habits" Easter and 420-themed event at Queer/Bar Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
DJ Baby Van Beezly performs dressed as a nun as an inflatable joint sits on the floor during a "Bad Habits" Easter and 420-themed event at Queer/Bar Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull, left, holds a cross made to look like lit joints as Krissi Beckel pretends smoke from it during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull adjusts the green fabric on his cross made to look like lit joints after performing in a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull holds a cross made to look like lit joints and pretends smoke from it while performing during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Gabriel Ramos poses for a photo in front of a large marijuana cigarette and downtown Seattle mural as Sarah Vargas takes a photo at Have a Heart cannabis dispensary Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Robert Borst smokes marijuana in a pipe on Hippie Hill where a Volo Sports, "Peace, Love and Volo Sports" event that coincided with Easter gatherings, and an unofficial 420 gathering at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park in San Fr, on Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Drag performer Ed De'Bull wears a crown with faux marijuana leaves during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Henry Rice looks at items he won in a giveaway Easter basket during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
FILE - Cannabis is displayed for customers at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
A glass pipe is seen in an Easter giveaway basket during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull, left, looks up at their girlfriend Anna Quaintance after performing in a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
FILE - A vendor makes change for a marijuana customer at a cannabis marketplace in Los Angeles, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
FILE - Natalie Rice, left, kisses her new husband, Lee Rice, beneath a canopy of faux marijuana plants during a ceremony at the Cannabis Chapel, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Riley Cook adjusts bunny ears on her boyfriend Henry Rice during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
FILE - People smoke marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana gathering at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
FILE - Music fans seek shelter in a grass hut at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival in Bethel, N.Y., Aug. 17, 1969. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Kenny Boynton smokes a joint San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, April 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson, file)
FILE - In this April 12, 2018, photo, a marijuana plant awaits transplanting at the Hollingsworth Cannabis Company near Shelton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
FILE - A guest takes a puff from a marijuana cigarette at the Sensi Magazine party celebrating the 420 holiday in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, April 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
Click to Gallery
Debbie Harms, left, and Shana LeBlanc enjoy the sun and vibes on Hippie Hill where a Volo Sports, "Peace, Love and Volo Sports" event that coincided with Easter gatherings, and an unofficial 420 gathering at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park in San Fr, on Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A tie-dyed flag waves as people walk by Hippie Hill where a Volo Sports, "Peace, Love and Volo Sports" event that coincided with Easter gatherings, and an unofficial 420 gathering at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park in San Fr, on Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A customer at Have a Heart cannabis dispensary poses for a photo while wearing marijuana-themed leaf socks Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Alexx German displays a joint in the shape of a cross for a customer at Star Buds, a recreational marijuana dispensary, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A sign for 4/20 specials is seen at Star Buds, a recreational marijuana dispensary, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Cannabis products are seen for sale at Have a Heart cannabis dispensary Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
An inflatable joint is held over "Asmodeus" to judge applause levels for a costume contest during a "Bad Habits" Easter and 420-themed event at Queer/Bar Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
DJ Baby Van Beezly, right facing, talks with performer and musical artist ToX!c as she holds up an inflatable joint during a "Bad Habits" Easter and 420-themed event at Queer/Bar Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
DJ Baby Van Beezly performs dressed as a nun as an inflatable joint sits on the floor during a "Bad Habits" Easter and 420-themed event at Queer/Bar Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull, left, holds a cross made to look like lit joints as Krissi Beckel pretends smoke from it during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull adjusts the green fabric on his cross made to look like lit joints after performing in a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull holds a cross made to look like lit joints and pretends smoke from it while performing during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Gabriel Ramos poses for a photo in front of a large marijuana cigarette and downtown Seattle mural as Sarah Vargas takes a photo at Have a Heart cannabis dispensary Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Robert Borst smokes marijuana in a pipe on Hippie Hill where a Volo Sports, "Peace, Love and Volo Sports" event that coincided with Easter gatherings, and an unofficial 420 gathering at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park in San Fr, on Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Drag performer Ed De'Bull wears a crown with faux marijuana leaves during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Henry Rice looks at items he won in a giveaway Easter basket during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
FILE - Cannabis is displayed for customers at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
A glass pipe is seen in an Easter giveaway basket during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Drag performer Ed Du'Bull, left, looks up at their girlfriend Anna Quaintance after performing in a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
FILE - A vendor makes change for a marijuana customer at a cannabis marketplace in Los Angeles, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
FILE - Natalie Rice, left, kisses her new husband, Lee Rice, beneath a canopy of faux marijuana plants during a ceremony at the Cannabis Chapel, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Riley Cook adjusts bunny ears on her boyfriend Henry Rice during a "blaze and praise" drag brunch at Bar Carlo on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
FILE - People smoke marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana gathering at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
FILE - Music fans seek shelter in a grass hut at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival in Bethel, N.Y., Aug. 17, 1969. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Kenny Boynton smokes a joint San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, April 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson, file)
FILE - In this April 12, 2018, photo, a marijuana plant awaits transplanting at the Hollingsworth Cannabis Company near Shelton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
FILE - A guest takes a puff from a marijuana cigarette at the Sensi Magazine party celebrating the 420 holiday in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, April 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Several countries were sending firefighting aircraft to Israel on Thursday as crews battled 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.
The fire broke out around midday on Wednesday, fueled by hot, dry conditions and fanned by strong winds that quickly whipped up the flames burning through a pine forest. Several communities were evacuated as a precaution as the smoke turned the skies over Jerusalem gray.
Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services warned the public to stay away from parks or forests, and to be exceptionally careful while lighting barbecues. Thursday is Israel’s Independence Day, which is typically marked with large family cookouts in parks and forests.
At least 12 people were treated in hospitals on Wednesday, mainly due to smoke inhalation, while another 10 people were treated in the field, Magen David Adom Ambulance services said.
Italy, Croatia, Spain, France and Romania were sending planes to help battle the flames, while several other countries, including North Macedonia and Cyprus, were also sending water-dropping aircraft. Israeli authorities said 10 firefighting planes were operating on Thursday morning, with another eight aircraft to arrive during the course of the day.
The main highway linking Jerusalem to Tel Aviv was opened again on Thursday, a day after the flames had encroached on the road, forcing drivers to abandon their cars and flee in terror. On Thursday morning, broad swathes of burned areas were visible from the highway, while pink anti-flame retardant dusted the top of burned trees and bushes. Smoke and the smell of fire hung heavy in the air.
In 2010, a massive forest fire burned for four days on northern Israel’s Mount Carmel, claiming 44 lives and destroying around 12,000 acres, much of it woodland.
A forest fire burn near Jerusalem, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Israeli fire department crews drives through smoke from a burning fire on the freeway near Jerusalem, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Firefighters work to extinguish a forest fire burning on a freeway to Jerusalem, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
An Israeli firefighter works as forest fire is burning near Jerusalem, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
A forest fire is burning near Latrun, Israel, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An Israeli firefighter battles a wildfire near Latrun, Israel, outside of Jerusalem, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An Israeli crew battles a wild fire near Latrun, Israel, outside of Jerusalem Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An Israeli firefighter battles a wildfire near Latrun, Israel, outside of Jerusalem, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)