At least 12 dead, 54 injured as wildfires ravage northeastern Algeria

What the report says

At least 12 people have died and 54 others were injured as wildfires spread through parts of northeastern Algeria, according to Al Jazeera’s report, which cited Interior Minister Said Sayoud and the official Algeria Press Service. The deaths were reported in the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou, while authorities said several victims suffered burn injuries and smoke inhalation. Sayoud visited a hospital in Souk El Thenine, in Bejaia province, to assess treatment for those affected.

The report said civil protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across Algeria in a single day, with 36 in Bejaia alone. Officials said some blazes had been brought under control in provinces including Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa, but operations were still ongoing in Bejaia and Jijel. Dozens of families were evacuated from the hardest-hit areas as a precaution.

Al Jazeera reported that the fires were being driven by a severe heatwave affecting Algeria and neighboring Tunisia. The article also noted that Algeria regularly faces destructive summer wildfires, and that recent years have brought higher fire risk from extreme heat, strong winds, drought and broader climate pressures. The immediate concern is the combination of active fires, displacement and pressure on local hospitals and emergency crews.