Algeria wildfire death toll rises to 73 amid mass burials and ongoing blazes

Friday, August 28, 2026 - Algeria is facing a devastating wildfire crisis, with the death toll rising to 73 people as fires continue to sweep through parts of the country’s northeast.

Jijel province has been among the hardest-hit areas, with entire families reportedly among those killed. A mass burial has already taken place for dozens of victims as authorities continue search-and-rescue operations and assess the destruction.

The emergency remains active, with authorities reporting 174 fires across 10 eastern provinces, of which 110 had been extinguished while 64 remained active. Jijel alone was reported to have 20 active fires, while Skikda, El Tarf, Guelma, Annaba and Bejaia also faced outbreaks.

High temperatures, difficult terrain and rapidly changing fire conditions are complicating efforts to bring the remaining blazes under control.

The immediate priority is to prevent further deaths, evacuate communities at risk and ensure emergency teams can reach isolated areas. The scale of the disaster is putting pressure on Algeria’s firefighting and rescue capacity while intensifying calls for stronger early-warning systems and faster emergency response.

With dozens of fires still active, the danger has not passed, and authorities remain under urgent pressure to contain the flames before the toll rises further.