Algerian authorities have evacuated residents and hospital patients as Algeria wildfires intensified in the eastern province of Annaba, where extreme heat and strong winds have fueled rapidly spreading blazes. Emergency services remain on high alert as dozens of fires continue to burn across the country.
According to the General Directorate of Civil Protection, the fires spread quickly in the town of Seraidi because of record-breaking temperatures and powerful winds. Authorities said all available personnel and firefighting equipment had been deployed to contain the emergency.
As a precaution, residents living in threatened areas were moved to safer locations. Patients at Seraidi Hospital were also evacuated to ensure their safety while maintaining uninterrupted medical services during the crisis.
Ground firefighting teams, assisted by aerial firefighting aircraft, continue to battle the flames in coordination with the Algerian army and other security agencies. Civil Protection urged the public to follow official instructions, stay away from affected areas and rely on verified information.
By 9pm local time on Tuesday, officials had recorded 170 wildfires nationwide. Of those, 104 had been brought under control, while firefighting operations continued against 66 active fires spread across 19 provinces.
The Interior Ministry said six people have died in forest fires that have affected several parts of Algeria in recent days. The country has experienced more than two weeks of extreme temperatures, with coastal areas recording highs of up to 49 degrees Celsius, accompanied by hot southern winds.
Official data showed that 3,719 wildfires were recorded between May 1 and July 20, compared with 1,501 during the same period last year. More than 1,666 hectares of vegetation have been destroyed, making the current Algeria wildfires season one of the country’s most destructive since the devastating fires of 2021.
