ALGERIA / RankWire.AI / – Wildfires across northeastern Algeria have killed at least 12 people and injured 54 during a severe heatwave. Interior Minister Said Sayoud said five people died in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou. Six injured people remained in critical condition after suffering burns and required intensive medical care. The fires spread through several northern provinces, where emergency crews continued operations around forested communities and nearby residential areas.
Fire crews battle deadly wildfires across northern Algeria during a severe heatwave. (AI-generated image)
Authorities recorded at least 159 vegetation fires across several provinces by Wednesday evening as firefighting teams worked across a broad area. Officials said crews had extinguished 90 fires, while 69 remained active at that stage of the response. Bejaia reported 18 active fires, while Skikda had 13 and Tizi Ouzou had 12. Jijel also faced seven active fires as emergency teams focused on locations where flames threatened homes and local infrastructure.
Algeria’s Civil Protection deployed ground crews, mobile units, helicopters and firefighting aircraft to reinforce operations in the hardest-hit areas. The response included Air Tractor AT-802 planes and a BE-200 water bomber for aerial firefighting missions. Authorities also evacuated residents from several threatened communities as smoke and advancing fires disrupted daily life. Algeria’s Civil Protection continued coordinating field operations with local authorities across the affected provinces.
Emergency response concentrates on hardest-hit areas
Bejaia remained one of the main centers of the wildfire emergency as fires affected several municipalities in the coastal province. Sayoud traveled to the area with Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to review firefighting work and hospital care. The officials visited the hospital in Souk El Tenine, where medical teams treated people with burns and other fire-related injuries. Emergency services also continued supporting communities near active fire zones across the province.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune directed the ministerial visit as government agencies coordinated firefighting, evacuation and medical support across northeastern Algeria. The Interior Ministry worked with local authorities and emergency teams to direct resources toward communities facing immediate danger. Crews used both aerial and ground support while monitoring fire movement near populated areas. The Interior Ministry also maintained emergency coordination as firefighting operations continued in several provinces.
Heatwave adds pressure to summer fire season
The wildfire outbreak developed during an intense heatwave affecting Algeria and neighboring parts of North Africa. Northern Algeria regularly faces summer fires across forested Mediterranean regions, including mountainous areas with scattered settlements. The latest emergency affected several provinces at the same time and required a large national response. Authorities continued monitoring active hotspots as teams worked to contain fires and protect residents.
The confirmed death toll remained at 12, with 54 people injured and six in critical condition in the latest reported figures. Officials had not issued a final assessment of damage to forests, farmland, homes or other property from the outbreak. Fire crews continued suppression work and evacuation support as authorities tracked remaining active fires. The emergency remained concentrated across northeastern Algeria, including Bejaia, Jijel, Tizi Ouzou and Skikda.