Algeria is facing a catastrophic situation as wildfires continue to rage, claiming the lives of more than 34 people within 24 hours and leading to mass evacuations. The worst-hit regions are in the northeast, with concerns that the fires could spread to neighboring Tunisia.
Extreme temperatures, reaching 48 degrees Celsius in some areas, have fueled 97 blazes across 16 provinces, exacerbated by strong winds. The death toll has already risen to 34, with 26 others reported injured. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The Mediterranean coastal provinces of Bouira, Bejaia, and Jijel in Kabylie, east of Algiers, have been severely affected, as the entire country grapples with an intense heatwave. The interior ministry has deployed 7,500 firefighters, 350 firetrucks, and aerial support to combat the flames.
Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation to determine the causes of the blazes and potential perpetrators. Wildfires are common during Algerian summers, but this year’s heatwave has intensified the situation.
In neighboring Tunisia, fires have also ravaged a pine forest near the Algerian border, prompting power cuts by the state energy supplier to conserve electricity. The national guard evacuated around 300 people from the village of Melloula.
Climate scientists consider the Mediterranean region a “hot spot” for climate change, with more heatwaves, droughts, and rising seas projected. Urgent measures are required to address the escalating wildfire situation and its devastating consequences on human lives and the environment.
