ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires spanning northeastern Algeria have claimed at least 12 lives and left 54 injured, according to officials on Wednesday night. The fatalities include five in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou, Interior Minister Said Sayoud reported. Of the injured, six remain in critical condition after suffering burns and are under intensive care. The fires, driven by a severe heatwave impacting Algeria and other North African regions, spread across multiple provinces.
Throughout the day, firefighting teams faced numerous active blazes as authorities evacuated families from zones near forests and populated areas. By 8 p.m. local time, at least 159 vegetation fires had been recorded across several provinces. Out of these, 90 had been put out, but 69 fires persisted. Bejaia experienced 18 active fires, followed by Skikda with 13, Tizi Ouzou with 12, and Jijel with seven.
In response, Algeria’s Civil Protection dispatched ground units, mobile teams, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft to assist in the regions hardest hit. The use of Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber was reported during the operations. Emergency protocols were activated in affected communities as smoke hampered visibility and fires threatened homes. Several evacuations were carried out as crews prioritized safeguarding residents, properties, and transportation routes.
Firefighting Efforts Grow Across Northeastern Regions
Bejaia, one of the primary zones of concern, saw multiple wildfires impacting various municipalities within the mountainous coastal area. Sayoud visited there alongside Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to oversee firefighting operations and hospital responses. They toured the Souk El Tenine hospital, where teams treated burn victims and those suffering from smoke inhalation. Officials also checked on patient care conditions as emergency services continued their work across nearby communities.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized the ministerial visit to Bejaia, emphasizing the government’s efforts in coordinating firefighting and medical aid. The Interior Ministry confirmed that emergency units were collaborating with local authorities and agencies to curb the fires. Resources were concentrated on areas where flames posed a threat to residents or where wind conditions hindered suppression efforts. As of Wednesday, aerial and ground units remained actively engaged across multiple affected provinces.
Record Heatwave Fuels Extensive Wildfire Outbreak
This wildfire crisis coincided with an intense heatwave sweeping Algeria and neighboring North African countries. Summer wildfires are a common occurrence in the country’s Mediterranean forest zones. Many communities affected are situated in mountainous and wooded regions across northern Algeria. Civil Protection has repeatedly mobilized national and local units during this summer’s peak fire activity.
The current fatalities mark a particularly challenging fire season, which has ravaged forests, farmland, and residential areas in parts of Algeria. Authorities have yet to provide an official estimate of land or property damage caused by the ongoing outbreak. Firefighters continue their efforts to suppress hotspots and carry out evacuations across the northeastern provinces. As of early Thursday, the confirmed death toll remained at 12, with 54 individuals injured.