ALGERIA — Algerian firefighters have extinguished all forest fires across the country, including a major blaze in Tipaza province west of the capital Algiers, authorities said Saturday.

The Civil Protection Agency said 55 fires were put out across 14 provinces in western, central, and eastern Algeria since Friday morning. Five remaining hotspots are still under surveillance due to the risk of reignition.

In Tipaza, some of the worst-hit areas, fires were extinguished in the forests of Boukhlidja, Amarsha, Bouzoula, Shoula, and Douar al-Ikhwa Marsili, with patrols continuing amid lingering risks.

Fires were also contained in the provinces of Chlef in the west; Tizi Ouzou, Medea, Ain Defla, Bouira, and Boumerdes in the center; and Bejaia, Jijel, Skikda, Mila, Setif, Souk Ahras, and Tebessa in the east, according to the agency.

Algeria’s meteorological office has forecast a sharp drop in temperatures in the coming days, alongside rain on Monday and possible snow later in the week.

The unusual heat—combined with dry winds—has fueled sudden, large-scale wildfires, particularly in Tipaza, prompting mass evacuations.

Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the fires.

However, northern regions have endured an unusual heatwave, with temperatures in Algiers reaching 31°C (87.8°F) on Thursday—far above seasonal norms for a Mediterranean coastal city that typically sees heavy rain and even snowfall in nearby mountains at this time of year.

Algeria has been in the grip of a severe drought for more than six years, especially across central and western regions.

Repeated drought waves since 2022 have triggered unprecedented wildfires, killing dozens, injuring hundreds, and destroying tens of thousands of hectares of forests and vegetation. — Agencies