38 Algerian killed by forest fires ignited by drought, heatwave

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: AFP + Algerian media
18 Aug 2022 16:39

Algiers combats with forest fires which have burned 800 hectares of forest and 1,800 hectares of woodlands since the beginning of August.

A charred tree is photographed after a wildfire in the region of El Tarf, near the northern Algerian-Tunisian border, Thursday, Aug.18, 2022 (AP Photo/Mohamed Ali)

Algerian firefighters have been valiantly combating a series of infernos which were kindled by drought and a crippling heatwave that has so far taken the lives of 38 people, reaping destruction in the process.

Forest fires that have spawned pain and destruction in Algeria on a yearly basis are taking the lives of many Algerians: In the latest death toll, according to multiple sources including local journalists and the fire service, a minimum of 38 people have been killed mainly in the El-Tarf region near the eastern Algerian border which experienced a scorching temperature of 48 degrees-Celsius.

In addition, at least 200 people have suffered burns or respiratory problems due to the smoke, according to Algerian media.

🚨VIDEO: Fires in Algeriapic.twitter.com/NcN9cbcomh
— Breaking News (@NewsJunkieBreak) August 17, 2022

According to a journalist in El-Tarf, there were "scenes of devastation" on the road to El-Kala.

"A tornado of fire swept everything away in seconds," he told AFP by telephone. "Most of those who died were surrounded while visiting a wildlife park."

In a devastating event, eight people in a bus near the city were burned to death, according to local media.

Firefighters, in addition, were also trying to put down a large fire in Souk Ahras, according to a journalist to AFP. Souk Ahras is a mountainous area described as the 'hub of a civilization.'

The journalist described a picture of panic painted of much panic in the city of a population 500,000 when almost 100 women and 17 newborn babies had to be evacuated from a hospital close to the forest where the fire broke out.

#Algeria #Algerie : At least 38 people killed - including 11 children - & more than 200 injured in horrifying forest fires in north & far east of the country #حرائق_الغابات #الجزائر_تحترق pic.twitter.com/BUAhDHmK6E
— sebastian usher (@sebusher) August 18, 2022

According to the fire service, there were 39 fires burning in multiple areas in the north, with fears of hot winds sparking new fires that the volunteers aren't willing to fight.

This ignited flashbacks from 2021 when fires killed at least 90, ravaging 100,000 hectares of forest and farmland.

The firefighters have rented a Russian Beriev BE 200 water bomber plane, but it broke down and won't be operating until Saturday, according to Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud. The civil protection service and the army don't have access to many firefighting helicopters.

Since the beginning of August, 106 fires have broken out in Algeria, razing down 800 hectares of forest and 1,800 hectares of woodlands, according to Beldjoud, revealing that some have been caused by arson.

On Thursday, Algerian Prime Minister Ayman bin Abdel Rahman visited the area in the morning.