Algeria wildfires intensify, killing six people

Algerian authorities have been investigating the sources behind multiple wildfires. According to TSA Algerie, this announcement by the Minister of the Interior, Said Sayoud, takes place after a deadly fire on the 21st of July, causing the death of six people. 

In Seraidi near the city of Annaba, a “true catastrophe has been avoided”, declared Sayoud. Since the beginning of the summer, Algeria has been facing unseen wildfires, with a rapid rate of spread and increasingly dangerous conditions. The North East of the country has been particularly affected as many forests are situated in this area of the territory, close to the Tunisian border. Wildfires have gotten closer to houses and civilian infrastructure, leading to the evacuation of hospitals and houses. 

The Minister of the Interior has travelled to Annaba and its surroundings to pay visits to people impacted by the fires. 

Firefighters have been fighting the wildfires, which are widely caused by an intense heatwave hitting North Africa, as well as strong winds facilitating propagation. In certain cities of Algeria such as Bejaia, temperatures have reached 55° C. 

“We have recorded 160 fires since the end of last weekend in the northern provinces. Investigations by the security services are ongoing to determine whether these fires were caused by criminal acts or natural factors,” said Saïd Sayoud.

On the 21st of July, Algerian authorities recorded 170 wildfires in 19 regions. Firefighters have managed to extinguish 104, while 66 are still going. Since the 8th of July, 1555 wildfires have been recorded. 

The heatwave has also brought complications to the electric installations of 16 regions, which were left completely in the dark on the 14th of July due to a technical fault in an electric installation in Biskra. Electricity came back on a few hours later, but persistent electricity outages remain a major issue for the Algerian authorities, particularly in extreme weather conditions. 

TSA, Maghrebi.org