Eleven people have been killed in Algeria in a series of deadly wildfires, which swept through provinces in the northeast of the country during a heatwave.

The provinces of Jijel, Béjaïa and Tizi Ouzou have seen some of the most extensive damage as the fires razed through homes, farm lands and livestock.

Temperatures in the country reportedly hit 50°C (122°F) in places, with 150 wildfires breaking out in the affected regions.

54 people have been injured in total, some of whom had sustained severe burns and needed intensive treatment.

Three Provinces of Algeria Worst Affected by the Firestorms

The wildfire crisis in Algeria has been most serious in three provinces in the northeast of the country.

Province	Fatalities	Damage caused
Jijel	5	Homes, farmland and livestock razed
Béjaïa	4	Fatalities, injuries and evacuations
Tizi Ouzou	3	Fatalities in the mountainous Kabylie region

All 12 fatalities were reported in the three aforementioned provinces.

Five People Die in Jijel, the Province with the Most Deaths

Five people died in Jijel which accounted for the most deaths.

In the village of Bordj Tahar, one of the areas greatly affected by the wildfires, there were damages to houses and farmlands, and nearly 400 heads of livestock had been killed.

This is another major blow for the communities that rely on agriculture and livestock for their living.

While the firefighters were working to control the wildfires, people from several affected areas had no choice but to leave their homes due to danger.

Four Fatalities and Evacuation of Many People in Béjaïa

There were four deaths in Béjaïa province amid the wildfires.

Included in the list of victims are an 8-year old boy and a 22-year old woman.

Aside from the deaths, there were many evacuations in Béjaïa amid the fires.

More than 54 people were injured from the affected areas, six of whom had sustained major burn injuries.

Meanwhile, at least six people were still under observation for burns in the hospital.

Three Victims From One Family Dead In Tizi Ouzou

Tizi Ouzou, a city found within the mountainous region of Kabylie, saw three people die.

The victims were said to be women from the same family amidst other communities struggling with the effects of forest fires in the area.

The mountainous topography may complicate the efforts to combat the flames in such areas, while strong winds may make it easier for the fires to travel fast in forests and rural areas.

How Many Forest Fires Have Taken Place In Algeria?

Over 150 fires have erupted in Algeria according to reports.

The forest fires have been fueled by dryness, extremely high temperatures and windy weather.

Thousands of firefighters were put on standby to help stop the fires from spreading even more.

Over 7,000 firefighters have been mobilized to help put out the fires that have taken place in affected areas.

While the majority of the fires have been contained, some are still being monitored.

What Led to the Outbreak of Wildfires in Algeria?

The wildfires were made to spread very fast due to the exceptionally warm and dry climate, alongside high winds.

It reached about 50°C, making the situation exceedingly dangerous for both civilians and emergency services.

Wildfires are usually a constant danger in the north of Algeria during summer season. However, increased heat and dry conditions might complicate the situation.

The officials in Algeria have already checked if the fires were intentionally caused. Hence, the causes of each specific fire might differ.

What Is Happening with Displaced Families?

As a result of the wildfires, several families had to abandon their homes.

Emergency measures have been taken by both locals and the authorities in the form of caravans transporting food, medical aid, and bedding to the affected civilians.

The immediate task is to provide shelter and other necessities to the families while assessing the possibility of returning to the ruined houses.

Moreover, agricultural communities are in a difficult situation due to destruction of farmlands and animals that serve as a source of income for those families.

Algeria Observes Three Days of National Mourning

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced three days of national mourning following the death toll.

This move shows the magnitude of the tragedy and loss felt by communities in northeastern Algeria.

As firefighting efforts help to put out most of the reported fires, the next step would be difficult – recovery.

Assessment of the damages will be crucial in determining the level of aid to be provided to affected individuals and businesses.

What Comes Next?

There will be an assessment of damages as well as readiness by the authorities to contain any potential new outbreaks.

The priority will then slowly shift from putting out fires to recovery, which will include supporting displaced individuals, providing treatment to the victims, and repairing damages.

Fires have once again highlighted the danger Algeria is in, given the increasing extreme summer heat and challenges in managing wildfires.

But for people in Jijel, Béjaïa and Tizi Ouzou, the next step will be to rebuild their lives after this devastating wildfire event in the country.

Conclusion

The Algeria wildfires disaster has led to the death of at least 12 people and injuries to 54 others. This includes victims from Jijel, Béjaïa and Tizi Ouzou provinces.

Five deaths have been reported in Jijel province while four and three deaths occurred in Béjaïa and Tizi Ouzou provinces respectively.

People have been forced out of their homes with farmland and livestock being destroyed due to raging fires.

Over 7,000 firemen with use of both land and air assets have been mobilized to battle over 150 fires.

As the nation mourns its citizens for three days, Algeria will shift its focus from firefighting to recovery.

The disaster has also drawn attention to the growing threat of extreme heat, dryness and strong wind associated with the Algerian wildfire season.