Algerian Radio
Civil Protection teams, alongside members of the People's National Army, other relevant institutions, and citizens, are continuing their intensive efforts to control the forest fires that broke out in several of the country's wilayas.
In this regard, the Sub-Director of Statistics and Information at the General Directorate of Civil Protection, Nassim Bernaoui, stated to APS that thanks to rapid intervention and the deployment of aerial resources, the majority of the fires that posed a threat to residents in the affected areas have been brought under control.
He explained that from Thursday morning until 1:00 PM, Civil Protection services recorded the outbreak of 73 fires, 50 of which have been extinguished, while intervention operations are ongoing to extinguish the remaining 23.
These fires were recorded across several wilayas, including Souk Ahras, Annaba, Constantine, Bejaia, Mila, Bouira, Skikda, Guelma, El Tarf, Jijel, Tipaza, Tiaret, and Tizi Ouzou.
Efforts to extinguish the remaining hotspots are ongoing, particularly in the areas of Seraïdi (Annaba), El Hachimia (Bouira), Djebel El Ouahch (Constantine), and the municipality of Abi Youcef (Tizi Ouzou), where approximately 10 families were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Mr. Bernaoui attributed the continuous outbreaks of fires primarily to the exceptional heatwave the country is experiencing, with temperatures exceeding 40°C and approaching 50°C in some areas for over 15 days. This has led to the drying out of vegetation, making grass and trees highly flammable.
In this context, the official praised the spirit of solidarity shown by citizens in supporting the Civil Protection services, urging them to remain cautious and avoid approaching fire zones for their own safety and to prevent cases of inhalation or exhaustion.
