Algeria battles new wave of forest fires amid heatwave

Northern and eastern regions of Algeria are facing intense forest fires amid soaring temperatures.
2 min read
18 September, 2023
Algeria faced intense wildfires last month [Getty Images]

Major forest blazesbroke out inBejaia and Tizi Ouzou provinces in northernAlgeriaon Friday, two months after huge areas of woodland in the North African country were devastated in fires sparked by a heatwave.

While theflames in Tizi Ouzou were tackled by firefighters, the battle to control forest fires in Bejaia continues.

Fires were reported in the Mahoui forest near the town of Tichy on the outskirts on Bejaia city, and another in the Ash Al-Baz forest in Bejaia province, according to a statement released on Saturday by the Civil Defence.

A third fire was reported in the forest of Igdasn village in Tizi Ouzou province.

Civil defence teams were mobilised to put out fires and evacuate residents from the affected areas to prevent potential casualties.

Videos shared by Algerian activists and media showed firefighters battling the flames as they spread in the affected forests.

Intervention teams from the neighbouring provinces of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Setif, and Bouira joined forces to combat the flames.

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Intense fires in the same area claimed the lives of 34 people in late July.

The country's meteorological service issued a special alert for a heatwave in the northeastern regions, including Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou, for Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures are expected to soar to 43°C (109.4°F).