Public radio said the authorities had begun evacuating student dormitories at the University of Haifa, which is located on the mountain.

"Several dozen hectares (scores of acres) of forest are under threat from the flames on Mount Carmel, and some 20 firefighting teams, aided by aircraft, have been trying to subdue the fires for several hours," spokesman Moshe Mosco said Friday evening.

The blaze is also threatening an animal park on Mount Carmel.

The winds were expected to drop later Friday, the meteorological service said.