ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires sweeping through northeastern Algeria have resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left 54 individuals injured, authorities reported Wednesday night. The fatalities include five in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou, according to Interior Minister Said Sayoud. Six of the injured remain in critical condition and are undergoing intensive treatment following burns. The fires have spread across multiple provinces amid a severe heatwave impacting Algeria and other regions of North Africa.
Firefighters encountered numerous active blazes as officials evacuated families from at-risk zones near forests and residential neighborhoods. By 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday, authorities had documented a total of at least 159 vegetation fires in various provinces. Of these, 90 had been brought under control, while 69 continued to burn at that hour. Bejaia experienced 18 ongoing fires, with Skikda recording 13, Tizi Ouzou with 12, and Jijel with seven active fires.
Algeria’s Civil Protection mobilized ground crews, mobile units, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft to bolster efforts in the most severely affected regions. The response included the use of Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber. Emergency protocols were activated in several areas where smoke reduced visibility and fires encroached on homes. Evacuations were carried out in multiple communities as crews prioritized safeguarding residents, property, and transportation routes.
Firefighting Efforts Broaden Across Northeastern Regions
Bejaia remained a focal point of the firefighting operations, with numerous fires impacting several municipalities in the mountainous coastal area. Sayoud visited the region alongside Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to oversee firefighting activities and hospital care. The delegation inspected the hospital in Souk El Tenine, where teams treated burn victims and individuals affected by smoke inhalation. Officials also assessed patient conditions as emergency services continued operating in nearby communities.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized the ministerial visit to Bejaia to coordinate firefighting and medical aid efforts. The Interior Ministry stated that emergency teams are collaborating with local authorities and other agencies to contain the fires. Resources have been concentrated on zones where flames threaten residents or where strong winds hinder suppression. As of Wednesday, aerial and ground units remained actively engaged across several affected provinces.
High Temperatures Fuel Large-Scale Wildfire Activity
The outbreak of wildfires coincides with an intense heatwave across Algeria and neighboring parts of North Africa. Summer wildfires are a common occurrence in the country’s Mediterranean forested regions. Many affected communities are situated in mountainous, wooded areas in northern Algeria. Civil Protection has repeatedly mobilized national and local units during periods of heightened fire danger this summer.
The recent fatalities contribute to a challenging summer wildfire season that has caused extensive damage to forests, agricultural land, and homes in various regions of Algeria. Authorities have yet to release a definitive estimate of land or property losses from this outbreak. Firefighting teams continue efforts to suppress fires and evacuate residents as officials monitor hotspots across northeastern provinces. The confirmed death toll remains at 12 with 54 injuries, based on the latest figures early Thursday.