Tunisia battles over 900 wildfires amid extreme heat

At least 900 fire spots ignited across Tunisia during a 72‑hour period from 20 to 22 July 2026, coinciding with a severe heat wave that pushed temperatures to 40‑49 °C. The fires, described by civil‑protection officials as affecting scrubland, crops and residential areas, have largely been extinguished, but two major fronts remain active, including one in the north‑western Sakiét‑Sindi‑Youssef region.

The national forestry authority reported that roughly 44,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed between 1 May and 23 July 2026, a sharp rise from 27,050 hectares burned in the same period last year. Authorities attribute the outbreak primarily to human factors—neglect or arson—exacerated by the extreme climatic conditions. Firefighters continue to combat the blazes amid dense smoke observed over the mountains.