In Algeria, devastating spate of wildfires prompts calls for better preparedness

These suspects will now face trial and be held accountable for their alleged criminal acts. The charges against them paint a harrowing picture, echoing scenes that have previously broken the hearts of Algerians in the past year.

As the investigation into the devastating forest fires in Algeria intensified, the number of suspected arsonists continued to rise, reaching a total of 22 individuals, including women.

The Attorney General of the Skikda Judicial Council revealed that three suspects had been arrested, with one of them being a woman. They were charged under the jurisdictions of the al-Qol and Haroush courts, signifying the severity of their alleged actions.

Additionally, the Public Prosecutor at the Bejaia Judicial Council announced the apprehension of two more individuals suspected of causing forest fires within the same governorate.

The gravity of the situation prompted the Algerian judiciary to treat this matter with utmost seriousness. They launched a series of thorough investigations following the initial fire that devastated Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou in the Kabylie region.

Judicial statements left no room for doubt, making it clear that if any criminal involvement in the fires were established, the perpetrators would face prosecution on terrorism charges. As promised, the files of all the suspects were handed over to the Department of Combating Terrorism and Organised Crime at the Sidi M'hamed Court in downtown Algiers.

The situation demands a thorough and impartial investigation to identify the root causes of these catastrophic fires. If deliberate human actions are indeed behind this devastating pattern, it is imperative that those responsible are brought to justice and held accountable for their crimes.

The Algerian people — in their grief and resilience — deserve transparency, safety, and measures to prevent such heart-wrenching tragedies from recurring in the future. By joining forces, communities can work towards preserving their natural heritage and protecting their beloved country from further devastation.

Effects of climate change cannot be ignored

Despite the suspected arsonist acts, environmental specialists do not absolve the role climate change is playing in exacerbating the situation. Nabil Zaghba, an environmental and agricultural expert, highlighted the impact of an intense heatwave that struck the northern states of the country.

Read more: North Africa bears brunt of Mena climate change challenges

The heatwaves significantly contributed to the spread of fires — especially in areas with accumulated waste, including glass debris in forests. Additionally, strong winds further fuelled the rapid expansion of the fire's reach.

As a clear example of climate change's impact, Saleh Abed Sahabi, the Director of Meteorology and Climate Exploitation at the National Office of Meteorology, drew attention to record-breaking temperatures recorded in various regions.

He pointed out that Algiers, Chlef, Maghnia, Bouira, and Dellys (belonging to the Boumerdes governorate) experienced unprecedented heat levels. On 11 July, temperatures soared to 47.9 degrees Celsius in Algiers, 46.4 degrees in Mascara, 45.6 degrees in Dulles, and 44.4 degrees in Saida. Even higher temperatures were recorded in Chlef (over 48.3 degrees) and Maghnia (46.8 degrees), as well as in other regions like Bejaia and Bouira.

The nighttime temperatures were also alarmingly high, with Chlef experiencing 34.5 degrees Celsius on July 10, Bouira at 31.1 degrees, Algiers at 30.6 degrees, and Dulles at 28.7 degrees. These extreme temperature fluctuations and rising heat levels are concerning, prompting experts to suggest that temperatures in Algeria could increase even more rapidly in the future.

Call for integrated early warning system

Saleh Abed Sahabi emphasised the need to prepare for the likelihood of more severe and prolonged heatwaves in the future.

"It is not unlikely that this matter will recur in the near future in a more severe and difficult manner and will last for a longer period. This is due to the threats posed by climate change, which are already being felt around the world," he said. 

"The establishment of an early warning centre for various risks is, therefore, essential. This centre should bring together all the institutions concerned with monitoring and managing major risks." 

Sahabi's warning is echoed by Dr. Shanaker Hisham, a professor and researcher in the environment at the Higher School of Forestry, who says, "The current situation requires the establishment of a centre for an integrated early warning system that includes a warning of forest fires, floods, earthquakes, etc.."

"This system monitors multiple dangers such as those in southern Europe. Canada plays a prominent role in preparing for risks and reducing them, using meteorology and advanced forecasts of weather conditions, and activating pre-extinguishing plans before they occur or get out of control," he said.

He stressed the need to abandon traditional methods of forest management in exchange for working on sustainable management as a proven approach in effectively addressing the risks of forest fires in many countries while modernising fire-fighting equipment and methods of extinguishing them.

Annual losses due to wildfires amounted to 1.5bn Algerian dinars, which is equivalent to $11mn, while compensation paid to disaster victims amounted to 600mn Algerian dinars, equivalent to $4.4mn dollars in 2020. Preventative measures could help reduce these costs.

National response to wildfires criticised

The deadly forest fires that have been raging in Algeria for days have sparked a debate between the government and the opposition on how to prevent such disasters from happening again.

The Interior Minister that his government "has said that it has deployed all available resources to extinguish the fires, including rented firefighting aircraft and around 8,000 firefighters."

However, the opposition has criticised the government for its lack of a national strategy for preventing and managing natural disasters.

In response to these criticisms, the Algerian Minister of Interior indirectly refuted any shortcomings in dealing with the catastrophe. He stated in a press statement that "we are facing an unprecedented wave of fires," and emphasised that "the state had mobilised substantial resources to minimise losses."

The minister also said that the government is working to improve its disaster management and relief organisation. He said that the government is developing a national strategy for preventing and managing natural disasters and that it is also working to educate the public about the dangers of forest fires.

According to the figures provided by the Algerian Minister, approximately 8,000 personnel were dispatched to the fire-affected areas, along with the mobilisation of 529 trucks of various sizes to combat the fires. The firefighting efforts were further bolstered by the deployment of 10 mobile units from regions not affected by the fires, as well as two regional support teams.

Regarding aerial firefighting operations, the Algerian Interior Ministry revealed the involvement of rented firefighting aircraft and a large-capacity Russian-made "Be-200" aircraft, which belongs to the Algerian Air Force.