Algeria reports 123 vegetation fires, with five still burning

Algerian authorities reported that 123 vegetation and agricultural fires had been recorded between Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, according to Algerian Civil Protection’s post on Facebook, five blazes were still burning.

The report said that of these fires, 118 had been “neutralised” but said the remaining five were reported in the provinces of Jijel, Setif, and Tebessa. Each of the provinces of Jijel and Setif reported two active fires, and Tebessa reported one active blaze.

The largest fire reported was in the Taxenna section of Jijel Province, in the area called Mchta El Messa. Several families were evacuated as the fire broke out there, which had expanded into residents’ homes and agricultural lands, authorities said.

Firefighting aircraft of the AT-802 model type had been deployed to Jijel to assist in quashing the blaze, it said. Authorities said they had received reports of minimal damage to buildings and had evacuated residents and farmers from potentially threatened areas as the smoke, embers and flames threatened the houses and produce of the area.

Two AT-802 firefighting aircraft were deployed in Jijel to help contain the blaze. Authorities reported limited damage to buildings, while residents and local farmers in threatened areas were temporarily evacuated as smoke and flames approached homes and agricultural land.

Some structures were reported damaged by fire, although authorities had not immediately provided details on the number or type of buildings affected.

The 24-hour figures included forest fires, vegetation and agricultural fires, as well as those burning in palm Groves and among stacked hay.

No information has been immediately released on possible injury and destruction from the fires, and no indication has been offered about the likely origin of the conflagrations.