Algeria's Minister of Interior, Local Communities and Transport, Saïd Sayoud (السعيد سعيود), announced in Tlemcen (تلمسان) that the state would provide compensation to families affected by recent forest fires. The state expressed its full solidarity with families affected by these devastating forest fires. The goal is to accurately list damages and address them promptly, initiating compensation operations for material losses before the upcoming social season. This commitment is particularly focused on addressing material losses incurred by citizens. Sayoud confirmed that the fire situation was largely under control, stating, "The situation has become under control thanks to the full mobilization of civil protection services, the People's National Army, and various security forces, alongside the effective contribution of citizens." He added that the situation "shows a remarkable improvement compared to previous days, as all fires that posed a threat to citizens and property have been controlled."
Fires Under Control
The field situation has shown significant improvement compared to previous days, according to reports. Authorities confirmed that all fires posing a danger to citizens and property have been controlled. Presently, only a few limited hotspots remain, with intervention teams continuing their extinguishing efforts to fully douse them. Between Thursday and Saturday, Algeria recorded over 160 fires across several wilayas. The current stability is attributed to the full mobilization of civil protection services, the People's National Army, and various security forces. Effective citizen participation also played a key role in bringing the situation under control, reinforcing the collective effort to manage the crisis.
Government Response and Aid
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued instructions to establish committees tasked with enumerating all damages and losses sustained by citizens due to the fires. The aim is to ensure a thorough assessment for subsequent compensation efforts, detailing every loss incurred by affected individuals. Separately, Minister of Interior, Local Communities and Transport Saïd Sayoud met with residents of Oulad Mimoun municipality during his visit. During this engagement, Sayoud listened to their concerns directly, offering a direct channel for communication. The minister assured citizens that these concerns would be systematically compiled and presented to the government for careful consideration and appropriate action. He further affirmed that the concerns raised by the citizens would be submitted to the government for extensive study and subsequent action, ensuring their voices are heard and addressed at the highest levels.
Mobilized Resources
An aerial fleet of approximately 18 aircraft was mobilized to combat the fires, with 12 specifically dedicated to firefighting operations. This full fleet included two large aircraft provided by the People's National Army, significantly bolstering aerial suppression capabilities. Additionally, several helicopters from both the People's National Army and Civil Protection services were deployed to support suppression efforts across affected areas. This substantial deployment showed the scale of resources committed to controlling the blazes and protecting communities. The coordination between various military and civil protection assets proved instrumental in managing the widespread fire incidents.
Minister's Assurance
Algeria's government intends to disburse compensation to individuals affected by recent forest fires before the upcoming social season. This directive aims to provide timely relief to those who suffered material losses, ensuring they can rebuild their lives without undue delay. The initiative follows assessments of damages caused by the blazes, which authorities state are now largely under control. The commitment shows the government's focus on addressing the immediate needs of affected communities and mitigating the economic and social impact of the disaster. This measure is part of a broader effort to mitigate the impact of the fires on citizens and their livelihoods, reflecting a proactive approach to disaster recovery and citizen welfare.
