12 Dead as Wildfires Sweep Northern Algeria Amid Natural Disasters and Heatwave
Wildfires have killed at least 12 people and injured 54 others in northern Algeria amid a severe heatwave, while Indonesia has deployed an extra 1,000 forest rangers to bolster prevention and response efforts in fire-prone Kalimantan regions as part of broader natural disasters management.
Algeria Wildfire Toll Rises to 12 Dead
At least 12 deaths occurred in the Algerian provinces of Jijel (5), Bejaia (4) and Tizi Ouzou (3), with 54 people suffering burn injuries including six in intensive care. [3] At least 12 people have been killed and 54 others injured as wildfires ravaged parts of northeastern Algeria. [3] Civil protection authorities said dozens of blazes swept through several provinces along the country's northern coastline. [2] At least 54 people had suffered burn injuries, with at least six of them being treated in intensive care, Interior Minister Said Sayoud said on Wednesday night. [2] Sayoud said five people were killed in Jijel province, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou. [2] He has travelled to Bejaia with the Algerian Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to assess local firefighting and evacuation efforts. [2]
Ongoing Blazes and Evacuations
Civil protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across Algeria on Wednesday, with 69 blazes still being fought; dozens of families were evacuated from hardest-hit areas. [2] Sayoud said Civil Protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across the country on Wednesday, including 36 in Bejaia province, 18 of which had been brought under control. [3] Firefighters were battling 69 blazes across the country, the civil protection agency said earlier on Wednesday evening. [2] Sayoud said firefighting teams have managed to contain the blazes in the provinces of Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa. [3] Operations were still under way in Bejaia, where 18 hotspots remained active, and in Jijel, where fires were burning in 12 municipalities. [3] He added that dozens of families had been evacuated from areas affected by the fires. [3] Many homes in Bejaia and Jijel have been evacuated, according to the civil protection agency and local media. [2]
Heatwave and Climate Context in Natural Disasters
The fires coincide with extreme heat across northern Africa that has been worsened by climate change, which the World Meteorological Organization notes has caused the fastest warming in North Africa of any African subregion. [2] The deaths comes as northern Africa swelters under a severe heatwave, with Tunisia and Algeria particularly affected. [2] While Algeria regularly experiences forest fires around the summer months, climate change has exacerbated the intensity and severity of recent wildfires in the country. [2] The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said extreme heat had become common in North Africa, a region that has seen the most rapid warming of the six subregions of Africa – 0.43C per decade - between 1991 and 2025. [2] Algeria frequently endures deadly seasonal wildfires during peak summer months. [3] In recent years, intense heatwaves and fierce winds have amplified fire risks across the country’s forested Mediterranean coastline, disasters exacerbated by drought and climate change. [3] The Bejaia region saw devastating fires tear through forest and farmland three years ago when 30 people were killed. [2] Last month, authorities recorded at least six deaths caused by fires, with crews battling more than 2,000 blazes across Algeria in July alone. [2]
Indonesia Deploys 1,000 Extra Rangers
Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry mobilized 1,000 additional forest rangers to patrol, monitor fire-prone areas in Kalimantan, verify public reports of illegal burning, and support joint operations with Manggala Agni, police, military and BNPB. [1] Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry has deployed an additional 1,000 forest rangers to support wildfire prevention and early detection measures and advance investigations into potential offenses linked to forest and land fires in several Kalimantan regions. [1] Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni first announced the mobilization while observing wildfire response operations in South Kalimantan on Sunday (Aug. 23). [1] Director of Prevention and Complaint Response at the Forestry Ministry Yazid Nurhuda noted in a statement here on Thursday that the personnel are also tasked with responding to public reports regarding wildfire risks. [1] Nurhuda elaborated that the Forestry Ministry directs the forest rangers to patrol and monitor fire-prone areas, verify information, and support follow-up measures on suspected wildfire violations. [1] He further noted that the deployment is expected to strengthen ongoing firefighting operations jointly undertaken by the ministry’s Manggala Agni fire brigade, regional governments, the police, the military, and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). [1]
Public Reporting and Joint Response
Wildfire response requires rapid flows of accurate information. Every public report concerning alleged burning, illegal land clearing, and other activities that can cause fires will be verified and followed up alongside relevant units. [1] The official also encouraged residents not to hesitate to contact authorities if they discover indications of activities that could trigger forest and land fires. [1] He underscored public participation as key to enabling the government to take immediate measures to contain fires and avert wider impacts on society. [1] Residents can play an active role by conveying information through the official reporting channel of our Law Enforcement Directorate General. [1] Nurhuda said, encouraging the public to access pengaduan.gakkum.kehutanan.go.id to report their findings. [1] He assured the public that all reports submitted would receive a response, reaffirming the government’s commitment to preventing and combating wildfires. [1]
What to watch next: Officials will continue reviewing wildfire response and orangutan habitat protection while drought risk in Central Kalimantan rises through August.
