(MENAFN) Algerian authorities have reported that all forest fires across the country have been extinguished, including a major blaze in Tipaza province, west of Algiers.

The Civil Protection Agency stated on Saturday that firefighters successfully put out 55 fires across 14 provinces in western, central, and eastern Algeria since Friday morning. Five areas remain under monitoring due to the risk of reignition.

In Tipaza, fires were controlled in the forests of Boukhlidja, Amarsha, Bouzoula, Shoula, and Douar al-Ikhwa Marsili, with patrols continuing in certain locations. Other provinces where blazes were contained include Chlef in the west; Tizi Ouzou, Medea, Ain Defla, Bouira, and Boumerdes in central Algeria; and Bejaia, Jijel, Skikda, Mila, Setif, Souk Ahras, and Tebessa in the east.

Meteorological forecasts indicate a significant drop in temperatures in the coming days, along with rains expected Monday and snow later in the week—conditions that helped halt the fires.

Tipaza and several other provinces had experienced sudden, widespread wildfires in recent days, fueled by unusually hot and dry winds. Mass evacuations were carried out as a precaution.

While the exact cause of the fires has not been revealed, northern Algeria has been hit by an abnormal heat wave, with temperatures in Algiers exceeding 31°C (87.8°F) on Thursday—far above typical coastal averages for this season.

The country has faced severe drought conditions for over six years, particularly in central and western regions. Successive droughts since 2022 have led to unprecedented wildfires, claiming dozens of lives, injuring hundreds, and destroying tens of thousands of hectares of forests and vegetation.

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