ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires across northeastern Algeria have resulted in at least 12 fatalities and injured 54 amid a severe heatwave. Interior Minister Said Sayoud reported that five deaths occurred in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou. Six injured individuals remained in critical condition due to burns and needed intensive medical intervention. The blazes expanded through multiple northern provinces, where emergency personnel continued operations around forested areas and adjacent residential neighborhoods.
By Wednesday evening, authorities had documented at least 159 vegetation fires across various provinces, as firefighting teams operated over a wide region. Officials stated that 90 fires had been extinguished, while 69 remained active at that point. Bejaia recorded 18 ongoing fires, Skikda had 13, and Tizi Ouzou reported 12. Jijel also faced seven active fires as emergency crews concentrated on locations where flames endangered homes and infrastructure.
Algeria’s Civil Protection mobilized ground units, mobile teams, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft to bolster efforts in the most affected zones. The response involved Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber for aerial firefighting operations. Authorities also evacuated residents from several communities under threat as smoke and advancing flames disrupted daily routines. Coordination of field activities between Algeria’s Civil Protection and local authorities continued across the impacted provinces.
Focus on severely affected regions
Bejaia remained a central point of wildfire activity as multiple municipalities in the coastal province faced flames. Sayoud traveled there with Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to assess firefighting efforts and hospital response. They visited Souk El Tenine hospital, where medical teams treated victims with burns and other fire-related injuries. Emergency services persisted in supporting communities near active fire zones across the region.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized the ministerial visit as government agencies coordinated firefighting, evacuations, and medical aid throughout northeastern Algeria. The Interior Ministry collaborated with local authorities and emergency units to allocate resources to communities in immediate danger. Both aerial and ground support was utilized to monitor fire progression close to populated areas. The Interior Ministry maintained ongoing emergency coordination as firefighting operations persisted in several provinces.
Heatwave intensifies summer fire risk
The outbreak occurred during a severe heatwave impacting Algeria and neighboring North African regions. Northern Algeria often faces summer fires in Mediterranean forested zones, including mountainous areas dotted with settlements. The recent crisis affected multiple provinces simultaneously, demanding a nationwide response. Authorities continued observing active hotspots while teams worked to contain fires and safeguard residents.
The confirmed death toll remained at 12, with 54 injuries reported and six individuals in critical condition. No final assessment had yet been issued regarding damages to forests, farmland, homes, or other property. Firefighters persisted with suppression efforts and evacuation support as authorities tracked remaining active fires. The emergency was mainly concentrated in northeastern Algeria, specifically in Bejaia, Jijel, Tizi Ouzou, and Skikda.