Algeria wildfires kill six, devastate forests and farms

Severe heatwaves have sparked a wave of wildfires across northern Algeria. By late July 2026, authorities reported 1,437 fire incidents since the start of the month, including 465 forest fires in 35 wilayas and 972 agricultural fires in 47 wilayas. A 24‑hour snapshot recorded 195 fires, with 53 still active across 15 wilayas such as Skikda, Annaba, El Tarf and Béjaïa. Satellite images from the European Sentinel‑2 mission showed dense smoke plumes over the northeast, confirming the scale of the blaze.

The fires have claimed six lives and caused extensive material damage. The interior ministry has mobilised water‑bombing aircraft, helicopters and ground crews, with the army, forest‑conservation services and local municipalities supporting the civil‑protection teams. officials cite climate‑change‑driven droughts, overgrazing, outdated forest‑management plans and coordination gaps as factors worsening the situation.