At least 12 people have died and dozens more have been injured as wildfires spread across several provinces in northern Algeria amid a severe heatwave gripping North Africa.
Algeria’s civil protection authorities said numerous fires were burning along the country’s northern coastline, with firefighters battling dozens of separate blazes.
Interior Minister Said Sayoud said on Wednesday night that at least 54 people had suffered burn injuries. Six of those injured were being treated in intensive care. The deaths were reported in three provinces: five in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou.
Sayoud travelled to Bejaia alongside Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to assess firefighting operations and evacuation efforts, government officials said.
Residents Evacuated as Fires Spread
Several homes in Bejaia and Jijel have been evacuated as flames and smoke spread through affected areas. Footage shared by local broadcaster Jijel News showed residents sheltering inside a post office as thick smoke surrounded the building.
The civil protection agency said firefighters were dealing with 69 active fires across Algeria as of Wednesday evening. The scale of the fires has placed significant pressure on emergency services, while authorities continue working to contain the outbreaks and protect communities in their path.
Bejaia Has Suffered Deadly Fires Before
The latest disaster has brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of Algeria’s northern regions during the summer fire season.
Bejaia was among the areas devastated by major wildfires three years ago. This was when 30 people were killed as fires swept through forests and farmland. The country has also recorded significant losses this summer.
Authorities reported at least six fire-related deaths last month. On the other hand, firefighting crews dealt with more than 2,000 fires across Algeria during July alone.
Although forest fires are a recurring feature of Algeria’s summer months, increasingly extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions are making them more difficult to control.
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