Algeria reports 50 vegetation fires in 2 days, 8 still burning

Algeria recorded 50 fires affecting forests, vegetation and agricultural areas between Wednesday and Thursday, with eight still burning, the country’s Civil Protection agency said Thursday.

In a statement, the agency said 42 fires had been extinguished as of 7 am local time (0600GMT) Thursday, while firefighting operations continued at eight locations across five provinces.

The remaining fires included two each in Bejaia, Mila and Tizi Ouzou, and one each in Jijel and Chlef, the agency said.

In Bejaia province in the north, firefighters were responding to a forest fire in Adekar and a brush fire in Aokas, neither of which posed a threat to residents.

In Mila in the northeast, fires affected fruit trees in the municipalities of Terrai Bainen and Ain Tine.

In Tizi Ouzou in the north, crews were battling vegetation fires in Ait Chafaa and Azeffoun, with authorities reporting no threat to nearby communities.

A forest fire in Beni Haoua, Chlef province in the northwest, had been brought under control, while another in El Milia, Jijel province in the north, posed no danger to residents, according to the statement.

The Civil Protection agency did not report any casualties or provide details on the total area affected by the fires.

The figures cover fires involving forests, other vegetation, agricultural crops, palm groves and stored straw between Nov. 11 and 12.

Algeria experienced a devastating wildfire season earlier this year, with fires causing deaths, widespread damage and evacuations across several provinces.

In late August, at least 12 people were killed in a wave of wildfires in eastern Algeria, according to authorities. On Aug. 29, Civil Protection reported 123 fires over two days.