ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires raging across northeastern Algeria have claimed at least 12 lives and left 54 injured, authorities announced on Wednesday night. The casualties include five deaths in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou, according to Interior Minister Said Sayoud. Among the injured, six remain in critical condition following burns and are receiving intensive care. The fires swept through multiple provinces amid a severe heatwave impacting Algeria and other North African regions.
Firefighting teams encountered dozens of active flames as officials evacuated families from areas near forests and residential zones at risk. By 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday, authorities documented at least 159 vegetation fires across various provinces. Of these, 90 had been extinguished, but 69 were still burning. Bejaia faced 18 active fires, with Skikda at 13, Tizi Ouzou at 12, and Jijel with seven ongoing blazes.
To combat the flames, Algeria’s Civil Protection dispatched ground crews, mobile units, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft to the most affected regions. Response efforts included the use of Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber. Emergency plans were activated where smoke reduced visibility and fires encroached on residential areas. Evacuations took place in several communities to safeguard residents, homes, and transport routes as firefighters focused on containment and protection.
Operations intensify across northeastern regions
Bejaia continued to be a focal point in the firefighting efforts, with multiple municipalities affected by the wildfires in this coastal mountainous province. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent officials including Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to oversee firefighting operations and hospital responses. The delegation visited Souk El Tenine’s hospital, where burn victims and smoke inhalation patients were being treated. They also checked on emergency services working across nearby communities.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized the ministerial visit to Bejaia as the government coordinated firefighting and medical relief efforts. The Interior Ministry confirmed that emergency services were collaborating with local authorities and other agencies to control the fires. Resources were concentrated on zones where flames threatened residents or where strong winds hindered suppression. On Wednesday, aerial and ground units remained engaged across multiple provinces affected by the fires.
Widespread wildfires coincide with intense heatwave conditions
The outbreak of wildfires coincides with an intense heatwave sweeping Algeria and neighboring North African countries. The country’s Mediterranean forested areas are frequently affected by summer wildfires. Many of the communities impacted are situated in mountainous and wooded northern regions. Civil Protection has repeatedly mobilized national and local units during periods of elevated fire activity this summer.
The recent deaths contribute to a challenging summer fire season that has caused damage to forests, agricultural land, and homes in parts of Algeria. Authorities have yet to release an official estimate of land or property losses from the current outbreak. Firefighters continue to conduct suppression and evacuation operations, monitoring active hotspots across northeastern provinces. The latest official figures report 12 dead and 54 injured as of early Thursday morning.