ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires have ravaged northeastern Algeria, resulting in the loss of at least 12 lives and leaving 54 people injured during a severe heatwave. Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed that five fatalities occurred in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou. Among the injured, six individuals remained in critical condition due to burns and required urgent medical attention. The fires extended across several northern provinces, where emergency responders continued efforts in forested zones and nearby residential neighborhoods.
By Wednesday evening, authorities had documented at least 159 vegetation fires spread across various provinces, with firefighting teams operating over a broad region. Officials stated that 90 fires had been extinguished, but 69 remained active at that time. Bejaia reported 18 ongoing fires, Skikda had 13, and Tizi Ouzou was battling 12. Jijel also faced seven active fires as emergency crews concentrated on locations where flames posed a threat to homes and infrastructure.
Algeria’s Civil Protection mobilized ground units, mobile teams, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft to bolster efforts in the most severely affected areas. The aerial firefighting fleet included Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber. Authorities also evacuated residents from several communities under threat as smoke and advancing flames disrupted normal routines. Coordination between Civil Protection and local authorities persisted across the impacted provinces to manage field operations effectively.
Response efforts focus on the most affected zones
Bejaia continued to be a central hub during the wildfire crisis, with multiple municipalities impacted along the coast. To assess firefighting efforts and hospital support, Sayoud traveled to the region accompanied by Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene. They visited Souk El Tenine hospital, where medical teams treated patients suffering from burns and fire-related injuries. Emergency services persisted in supporting communities near active fire zones throughout the province.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized the ministerial visit as government agencies coordinated firefighting, evacuations, and medical aid across northeastern Algeria. The Interior Ministry collaborated closely with local authorities and emergency teams to allocate resources to communities at immediate risk. Aerial and ground units monitored the progression of fires close to inhabited areas. The ministry also maintained emergency coordination to ensure continued firefighting efforts in several provinces.
Extreme heat intensifies summer wildfire season
The recent outbreak of wildfires coincided with an intense heatwave impacting Algeria and neighboring regions of North Africa. Summer fires are a common occurrence across forested Mediterranean zones in northern Algeria, including mountainous areas with scattered settlements. This particular emergency affected multiple provinces simultaneously, demanding a comprehensive national response. Authorities kept a close watch on hotspots as teams worked tirelessly to contain the flames and safeguard residents.
The death toll remained at 12, with 54 individuals injured and six in critical condition according to the latest figures. A final assessment of damages to forests, farmland, homes, or other property has not yet been issued. Firefighting units continued to suppress flames and support evacuations while authorities tracked remaining active fires. The crisis remains concentrated in northeastern Algeria, notably in Bejaia, Jijel, Tizi Ouzou, and Skikda.