Algeria Wildfires: At Least Twelve Dead in Béjaïa and Jijel

Scale of the Fires in Béjaïa and Jijel

Authorities did not initially provide an exact number of fire hotspots. The death toll of at least twelve comes from civil protection reports issued on Wednesday. No further details were initially given on the identity of those killed or on possible injuries.

Wildfires are not uncommon in the northern Algerian summer months. In recent years, however, experts had observed an increase in the number and intensity of fires. In other Mediterranean countries as well, including Spain, Italy, and Greece, firefighters have repeatedly had to combat extensive forest and bush fires this summer.

Algerian authorities had raised the alert level in recent days in view of rising temperatures. Weather services reported sustained heat in the affected regions, with values well above 35 degrees Celsius, accompanied by low humidity. These conditions dry out soils, shrubs, and coniferous forests heavily, creating ideal conditions for rapidly spreading fires.

Climate Change as a Driver of the Wildfire Season

Climate change is worsening the situation: more frequent and intense heat waves and droughts dry out vegetation and thus promote wildfires. This assessment is shared by international climate research institutes, which point in their reports to a clear link between rising global average temperatures and the increase in extreme weather events.

The Algerian government announced it would continue firefighting operations while also investigating the causes of the fires. Whether negligent action or arson played a role was initially unclear. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media purportedly show flames in the immediate vicinity of residential buildings; however, this footage could not be independently verified.

In other parts of North Africa and Southern Europe as well, emergency services were preparing for an ongoing wildfire season. The EU Commission had activated a new early warning system for wildfire risks earlier in the year, combining satellite data with forecasting models. Whether this system was also used in the current Algerian fires was not known on Wednesday.

Authorities' Measures and International Response

Weather services forecast no significant cooling in the affected provinces in the coming days. Authorities called on the public to avoid open fires outdoors and, where possible, to stay out of forested areas. Hospitals in the Béjaïa region prepared to provide care for any additional potential casualties.

The news of the fires was also reflected in the programming of the Bavarian radio station Bayern 2, which reported on the situation in its news bulletins early Wednesday morning under the title "Mindestens zwölf Tote bei Waldbränden in Algerien." The station picked up the report from international agencies citing Algerian authorities.

International offers of assistance were not officially announced at first. However, EU states and neighboring countries had already provided technical assistance in earlier wildfire seasons, for instance through the joint deployment of firefighting aircraft under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Whether such a mechanism might now come into play remained to be seen.

Outlook: No Quick Relief in Sight

The government in Algiers stated it would offer condolences to the families of the deceased and support the affected municipalities in recovery efforts. At the same time, civil protection warned of a continued tense situation and urged the public to follow the instructions of emergency services.