Tipaza Faces Intense Wildfires, Evacuations Underway
Tipaza province is currently grappling with a series of intense wildfires that erupted early this morning, prompting a full-scale mobilization of Civil Protection units, the National Gendarmerie, and forestry officials. The fires are affecting several municipalities across the region.
The General Directorate of Civil Protection has confirmed that blazes are actively burning in three major forested areas. This has necessitated a significant reinforcement of response teams to combat the spreading flames.
Key Fire Locations
The primary fire locations are identified as the Douar Boukhlidja forest in the commune of Larhat (Damous district), the Ammarsha forest in the commune of Messelmoun (Gouraya district), and the Douar Choula area in the commune of Beni Milleuk (Damous district). These areas represent significant portions of the province’s forest cover, making containment efforts challenging due to dense vegetation and difficult terrain.
Reinforcements Deployed
To effectively manage the situation, Civil Protection has augmented local units with highly skilled intervention teams from the National Training and Intervention Unit in Dar El Beida, as well as additional teams from Ain Defla, Blida, Chlef, and Medea provinces. This support is crucial due to the rapid spread of the fires, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, which complicate firefighting operations.
Large-Scale Evacuations
In conjunction with firefighting efforts, the National Gendarmerie, in coordination with Civil Protection personnel and forestry agents, has initiated extensive evacuations of families residing near the fire zones to ensure their safety and prevent casualties. Evacuations have been carried out in several neighborhoods and villages in close proximity to the fires. Local authorities are working to provide safe accommodation for displaced families.
Citizens Urged to Stay Clear
Firefighting teams are continuing their efforts to bring the situation under control. Citizens are urged to exercise caution, facilitate the work of emergency responders by staying away from fire zones, and keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles. Civil Protection will continue to provide updates on the evolving situation. Stay tuned to DZWatch for the latest developments.
