ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires in northeastern Algeria have resulted in at least 12 deaths and left 54 people 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. Six of the injured remain in critical condition, receiving intensive care after burns. These fires spread through multiple provinces amid a brutal heatwave impacting Algeria and other North African regions.
Firefighters battled dozens of active blazes as authorities evacuated families from areas at risk near forests and residential zones. By 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday, officials had documented at least 159 vegetation fires across various provinces. While 90 of these fires had been extinguished, 69 remained ongoing at that time. Bejaia had 18 active fires, with Skikda following with 13, Tizi Ouzou with 12, and Jijel with seven.
Algeria’s Civil Protection deployed teams on the ground, mobile units, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft to support efforts in the most affected regions. The response involved the use of Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber. Emergency plans were activated in several communities where smoke reduced visibility and fires threatened homes. Evacuations were carried out as firefighting crews prioritized safeguarding residents, properties, and transportation routes.
Expansion of firefighting efforts across northeastern regions
Bejaia remains one of the primary focal points of the emergency, with fires impacting multiple municipalities within this mountainous coastal province. Sayoud traveled there alongside Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to oversee firefighting operations and hospital care. The delegation visited Souk El Tenine’s hospital, where teams treated individuals with burns and smoke-related injuries. They also checked on patient conditions as emergency services continued working across nearby communities.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized the ministerial visit to Bejaia to facilitate coordination of firefighting and medical support efforts. The Interior Ministry confirmed that emergency services collaborated with local authorities and agencies to contain the fires. Resources were concentrated on areas where flames threatened residents or where strong winds complicated suppression efforts. On Wednesday, aerial and ground units remained actively engaged across several affected provinces.
Heatwave fuels widespread wildfire activity
This series of wildfires coincided with a severe heatwave sweeping Algeria and neighboring North African countries. Summer wildfires are a common occurrence in the country’s Mediterranean forested zones. Many affected communities are situated in mountainous and wooded areas across northern Algeria. Civil Protection has repeatedly mobilized national and local units during periods of heightened fire danger this summer.
The ongoing fires have contributed to a challenging summer fire season that has caused damage to forests, agricultural land, and residential structures in parts of Algeria. Authorities have yet to release a comprehensive estimate of land or property losses from the current outbreaks. Firefighting teams persisted with suppression and evacuation efforts as officials monitored active hotspots across northeastern provinces. As of early Thursday, the confirmed toll stood at 12 dead and 54 injured.