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

By Al Jazeera Staff and AFP. Published On 27 Aug 202627 Aug 2026.

Key points

• Sayoud remarked Civil Protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks nationwide on Wednesday, including 36 in Bejaia province, 18 of which had been brought under control.
• Minister of Interior Remarked Sayoud, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, stated the deaths occurred in the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou.
• According to the official Algeria Press Service, Sayoud documented 54 burn cases at the hospital, including six residents who were in critical condition.
• Sayoud remarked firefighting teams have managed to contain the blazes in the provinces of Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa.
• "Five deaths were recorded in the prefecture of Jijel, four in that of Bejaia and three in that of Tizi Ouzou, " he remarked.

As authorities evacuated dozens of families from the hardest-hit areas, at least 12 individuals have been killed and 54 others injured as wildfires ravaged parts of northeastern Algeria, an official stated.

Sayoud created the remarks during a visit to a hospital in the city of Souk El Thenine in Bejaia to evaluate treatment for victims suffering burn injuries and smoke inhalation.

Meanwhile, the fires come as a severe heatwave sweeps throughout Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia.

Sayoud remarked firefighting teams have managed to contain the blazes in the provinces of Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa. Operations were still under way in Bejaia, where 18 hotspots remained active, and in Jijel, where fires were burning in 12 municipalities.

He continued that dozens of families had been evacuated from areas affected by the fires.

Images broadcast by regional news website Jijel News indicated residents seeking refuge in a post office against the backdrop of thick smoke. Algeria frequently endures deadly seasonal wildfires during peak summer months. At least six individuals were killed last month alone.

Over recent years, intense heatwaves and fierce winds have amplified fire risks nationwide's forested Mediterranean coastline, disasters exacerbated by drought and climate change.

For now, at least 12 dead, 54 injured as wildfires ravage northeastern Algeria remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.