Deadly wildfires hit northern Algeria

The update

At least 12 people have been killed and 54 injured as wildfires swept through northern Algeria, with authorities evacuating dozens of families from affected areas. Interior Minister Said Sayoud reported the deaths occurred in the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou. Civil Protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across the country in a single day, with 18 hotspots remaining active in Bejaia and fires burning in 12 municipalities in Jijel.

Why it matters

The fires represent a climate-driven emergency as northern Africa experiences severe heatwaves. The unprecedented scale of fires—154 in one day—highlights how rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are increasing wildfire risks across the Mediterranean region. Algeria’s forested coastline has become increasingly vulnerable to such disasters, exacerbated by drought and climate change.

What to watch

Authorities continue battling active blazes while monitoring for potential casualties among evacuated residents. The coming days will reveal whether the death toll increases as rescue operations continue. The situation in neighboring Tunisia, also affected by the same heatwave, warrants attention as the region braces for continued extreme weather conditions.

Sources

• aljazeera.com — official death toll and injury count
• bbc.co.uk — regional context and climate factors