ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires across northeastern Algeria have resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left 54 people injured, according to officials Wednesday night. The casualties include five deaths in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou, Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed. Among the injured, six individuals remain in critical condition, receiving intensive care for burns. The fires expanded across multiple provinces amid a severe heatwave impacting Algeria and other parts of North Africa.
Firefighting teams encountered dozens of active fires as authorities evacuated families from areas threatened by forests and residential zones. By 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday, officials recorded at least 159 vegetation fires across various provinces. Of these, 90 had been extinguished, while 69 fires continued to burn at that time. Bejaia reported 18 active fires, with Skikda following with 13, Tizi Ouzou with 12, and Jijel with seven.
Algeria’s Civil Protection mobilized ground units, mobile teams, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft to aid in operations especially in the most affected regions. The response involved the use of Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber. Authorities also activated emergency protocols where smoke limited visibility and fires approached residential areas. Multiple communities were evacuated as crews prioritized protecting residents, properties, and transportation routes.
Expansion of Firefighting Efforts in Northeastern Regions
Bejaia remained a focal point of the emergency, with fires impacting numerous municipalities within this mountainous coastal province. Sayoud accompanied Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to assess firefighting operations and hospital conditions. The delegation visited Souk El Tenine hospital, where teams treated burn victims and smoke inhalation cases. Officials also evaluated patient conditions as emergency services continued their work in neighboring communities.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized the ministerial visit to Bejaia as part of the government’s coordinated response involving firefighting and medical aid. The Interior Ministry reported ongoing efforts with local authorities and other agencies to contain the blazes. Resources were focused on zones where flames posed threats to residents or where strong winds hindered suppression. Both aerial and ground units remained active across several affected provinces on Wednesday, the ministry stated.
Wildfire Outbreak Coincides with Intense Heatwave
The surge in wildfires coincides with an intense heatwave affecting Algeria and neighboring North African regions. Summer wildfires are a recurring challenge for the country’s Mediterranean forests. Many communities affected are situated in mountainous, wooded areas across northern Algeria. Civil Protection has repeatedly mobilized both national and local units during periods of heightened fire activity this summer.
The current deaths contribute to a challenging summer fire season that has caused damage to forests, farmland, and homes in parts 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 while tracking active hotspots across the northeastern provinces. As of early Thursday, the confirmed toll remains at 12 dead and 54 injured.