Algeria has been gripped by a heat wave for several days, accompanied by dozens of wildfires.
Algeria issued an urgent order recalling personnel across 45 provinces as the country battled more than 100 wildfires amid an intense heat wave.
"Due to the situation caused by the fires recorded in several wilayas [provinces] of the country, in the context of a heatwave affecting several regions, and following the special weather bulletin issued by the National Meteorological Office… all personnel in the wilayas mentioned below are called to go immediately to their place of work," the Civil Protection said in a statement on Thursday, July 16.
The order followed a warning from the National Meteorological Office that temperatures could reach 48C (118.4F) or higher in some areas through at least Sunday.
Record heatwave
According to the latest official tally, 111 fires involving forests, brushland, crops, and palm groves had been recorded by 5 pm local time (1600GMT).
Firefighters brought 65 of the blazes under control, while 46 remained active across 18 provinces.
Major firefighting operations were underway in Bejaia, Annaba, Skikda, Blida, Tizi Ouzou, Boumerdes, Ain Defla and Tlemcen, supported by firefighting aircraft and helicopters.
Authorities also carried out precautionary evacuations in several areas as flames approached residential communities.
In the Bejaia province, two villages and around 100 people were evacuated from the Imarat area in the Barbacha municipality, while 200 people were moved to safety in Blida.
Around 10 families were evacuated from the Kanoua area in Skikda, along with several families in Oued Zeggar, El Eulma, and Oum Toub. Six families were also evacuated in the Bouira province.
Wildfire control
In Boumerdès, several families were evacuated from the municipalities of Isser and Naciria before being allowed to return after the situation was brought under control.
Thirteen families including a total of 70 people in the Guelma province were also evacuated as a precaution.
The directorate said a fire in the Ain Defla province continued to threaten homes and property, while firefighting operations remained underway in the affected areas.
Algeria has been gripped by a heat wave for several days, accompanied by dozens of wildfires, as civil protection teams backed by air and ground units work to contain the blazes and protect residents and property.
Wildfires in recent years have killed and injured dozens of people and destroyed large areas of forest and vegetation across the country.
