Tragic Wildfires in Northeastern Algeria Leave at Least 12 Dead and 54 Injured

A firefighter works to extinguish a fire in Taourirt Ighil in the mountainous Bejaia province, Algeria, August 19, 2025 [Abdelaziz Boumzar/ Reuters]. At least 12 people have lost their lives and 54 others sustained injuries as devastating wildfires tore through northeastern Algeria, forcing authorities to evacuate dozens of families from the most severely impacted regions.

Minister of Interior Said Sayoud announced during a press briefing on Wednesday that the fatalities were recorded across the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou. Detailed figures provided by the minister showed five deaths in the prefecture of Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou.

Sayoud shared these updates while visiting a hospital located in the city of Souk El Thenine in Bejaia to assess the medical care provided to victims suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation. Citing the official Algeria Press Service, the minister noted that 54 burn cases were registered at the facility, with six individuals reported to be in critical condition.

According to Civil Protection teams, 154 fire outbreaks were documented nationwide on Wednesday. This total included 36 outbreaks in Bejaia province, of which 18 were successfully brought under control. These destructive blazes coincide with an intense heatwave affecting both Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia.

Sayoud confirmed that firefighting units successfully contained blazes in the provinces of Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, and Tebessa. However, containment operations remained ongoing in Bejaia, where 18 hotspots continued to burn, and in Jijel, where fires affected 12 municipalities. Authorities also confirmed the evacuation of numerous families from danger zones.

Footage shared by the regional news website Jijel News captured dramatic scenes of residents taking shelter inside a post office surrounded by thick, billowing smoke. Seasonal wildfires frequently strike Algeria during the peak summer months, resulting in significant casualties, including at least six deaths recorded in the previous month alone. In recent years, prolonged droughts, extreme heatwaves, and fierce winds driven by climate change have dramatically heightened wildfire risks along the nation's forested Mediterranean coastline.