ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires sweeping through northeastern Algeria have resulted in at least 12 fatalities and 54 injuries amid a scorching heatwave. Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed that five lives were lost in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou. Six individuals with burns remain in critical condition, requiring intensive medical intervention. The fires extended across multiple northern provinces, prompting emergency personnel to continue efforts around forests and nearby residential zones.
By Wednesday evening, authorities documented at least 159 vegetation fires across various provinces, with firefighting teams actively working over a wide region. Officials indicated that 90 fires had been extinguished, while 69 were still active at that point in the operation. Bejaia reported 18 ongoing fires, Skikda had 13, and Tizi Ouzou was battling 12. Jijel faced seven active blazes, as emergency crews prioritized locations where flames posed a threat to homes and infrastructure.
Algeria’s Civil Protection deployed a combination of ground units, mobile teams, helicopters, and aircraft to bolster firefighting efforts in the most affected regions. The aerial support included Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber for firefighting flights. Authorities also evacuated residents from several communities at risk as smoke and advancing fires disrupted normal life. Coordination efforts between Civil Protection and local authorities persisted across the impacted provinces.
Priority is given to the most affected zones in emergency operations
Bejaia remained a focal point of firefighting efforts, with several municipalities impacted along the coast. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune dispatched officials including Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to oversee firefighting and medical response. They visited Souk El Tenine hospital, where medical teams treated patients with burns and other fire-related injuries. Support services persisted in assisting communities near active fire zones throughout the province.
The president authorized the ministerial inspection as agencies coordinated firefighting, evacuations, and health support across northeastern Algeria. The Interior Ministry collaborated with local authorities and emergency teams to allocate resources to communities in immediate danger. Both aerial and ground units monitored fire behavior close to populated areas while maintaining emergency coordination throughout multiple provinces.
The ongoing heatwave intensifies the summer wildfire threat
The outbreak of wildfires coincided with an intense heatwave impacting Algeria and nearby North African regions. Summer fires are common in northern Algeria’s Mediterranean forested zones, especially in mountainous areas dotted with settlements. This simultaneous regional emergency demanded a large-scale national response, with authorities continuously monitoring hotspots and working to contain the flames while safeguarding residents.
The death toll remains at 12, with 54 injuries reported and six individuals in critical condition, based on the latest figures. An official assessment of damage to forests, farms, homes, or other structures has yet to be finalized. Firefighting teams persist in suppression activities and supporting evacuations while tracking remaining active fires. The emergency response remains focused on northeastern Algeria, specifically Bejaia, Jijel, Tizi Ouzou, and Skikda.