--- title: "Algeria wildfires kill at least 12 amid heatwave" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/algeria-wildfires-kill-at-least-12-amid-heatwave" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/algeria-wildfires-kill-at-least-12-amid-heatwave" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/algeria-wildfires-kill-at-least-12-amid-heatwave.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/algeria-wildfires-kill-at-least-12-amid-heatwave" category: "Climate" area: "Africa" published: "2026-08-27T00:46:16.249Z" source_reported: "2026-08-26T23:27:48.000Z" updated: "2026-08-27T00:46:16.249Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-27T00:30:43.314266+00:00" --- # Algeria wildfires kill at least 12 amid heatwave *At least 12 people have died in wildfires across Algeria, with authorities reporting 58 fires and evacuations in affected provinces.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims are attributed to named officials and local media, but lack of independent verification limits trust. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes specific figures and locations, but lacks quotes from affected individuals or opposing views. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines promise significant death tolls, but the body of reporting details fewer fatalities in some instances. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - At least 12 people have died in wildfires across Algeria. - The country recorded 58 separate wildfires across 16 provinces, with 37 still active. - A heatwave is contributing to the spread of the fires. - Several families were evacuated from their homes in Jijel province as fires approached residential areas. At least 12 people have died in wildfires that have spread across several Algerian provinces. The country recorded 58 separate wildfires across 16 provinces on Wednesday, with 37 still active. Authorities reported that a severe heatwave has contributed to the fires. In Jijel province, several families were evacuated as a precautionary measure after fires approached residential areas. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with aerial and ground resources deployed. ## Fatalities and injuries Reports differ on the exact number of fatalities and injuries. The Star Kuala Lumpur reported three deaths and two injuries, citing local authorities and media. It stated a 22-year-old woman and an eight-year-old boy died in Bouhyane, Bejaia province, and one person died in Mila province. Le Monde, Publico, Protothema, The Straits Times, WTVB, Jerusalem Post, Al-Shorouk, and France24 all reported 12 deaths. Protothema noted that an 8-year-old boy was among the victims and that many injured were in serious condition. France24 reported two deaths, including an 8-year-old boy, and several injured. BT reported 12 deaths and six people hospitalised in critical condition. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific number of active fires or the involvement of aerial firefighting resources. None of the right-rated digests mention the specific number of active fires or the involvement of aerial firefighting resources. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific number of active fires or the involvement of aerial firefighting resources. ## Who covered it Shares of the 12 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 8% (1) - Centre: 42% (5) - Right: 50% (6) 5 of 17 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-27T00:30:43.314266+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-27T01:15:20.711Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report from Le Monde led with the death toll, stating that 12 people were killed in fires that ravaged several regions in the north-east of the country. It attributed this figure to a report by the Ministry of the Interior. The digest also noted that the fires occurred on Wednesday, 26 August. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports consistently highlighted the death toll, with WTVB, Jerusalem Post, and Al-Shorouk all stating that at least 12 people were killed. These reports also mentioned the ongoing heatwave as a contributing factor. The Jerusalem Post specified that fatalities included five people in Jijel province, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou, citing local Ennahar TV. Al-Shorouk noted that 58 fires were recorded, with 21 extinguished and 37 still active, and mentioned preventive evacuations. France24 reported two deaths, including an eight-year-old boy, and several injured, with numerous families evacuated. Yle reported 154 wildfires across the country on Wednesday. ### Right - Right-rated reports from The Star Kuala Lumpur, Anadolu Ajansı, BT, Protothema, and The Straits Times focused on the number of fires and fatalities. The Star Kuala Lumpur reported three deaths and two injuries, identifying two victims as a 22-year-old woman and an 8-year-old boy in Bejaia province. Anadolu Ajansı stated that 58 wildfires broke out in 16 provinces, with 21 extinguished and efforts underway to combat the rest amid a heatwave. It detailed fire occurrences in Skikda, El Tarf, Jijel, and Bejaia, and mentioned evacuations in Jijel and El Tarf. Protothema and The Straits Times reported 12 deaths, with Protothema noting an 8-year-old boy among the victims and The Straits Times attributing the figure to Interior Minister Said Sayoud. BT reported 12 deaths and six hospitalised in critical condition. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 7 - unknown: 5 - veryHigh: 3 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [BT](https://bt.dk/udland/skovbrande-paa-tvaers-af-algeriet-koster-12-livet) — Forest Fires Across Algeria Claim 12 Lives - [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2026/08/27/en-algerie-12-morts-dans-des-incendies-de-forets_6757631_3212.html) — In Algeria, 12 Deaths in Forest Fires - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/business/environment/wildfires-kill-12-people-across-several-algerian-provinces-2026-08-26) — Wildfires kill 12 people across several Algerian provinces - [Svenska Dagbladet](https://svd.se/a/ExL3k2/tolv-doda-i-brander-i-algeriet) — Twelve Dead in Fires in Algeria - [Publico](https://publico.pt/2026/08/27/azul/noticia/incendios-florestais-causam-12-mortes-argelia-2186221) — Forest Fires Cause 12 Deaths in Algeria. - [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1870022/purkagies-stin-algeria-12-nekroi-kai-dekades-traumaties-sto-anatoliko-tmima-tis-horas) — Fires in Algeria: 12 Dead and Dozens Injured in the Eastern Part of the Country - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/wildfires-kill-12-people-across-several-algerian-provinces) — Wildfires kill 12 people across several Algerian provinces - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/26/wildfires-kill-12-people-across-several-algerian-provinces) — Wildfires kill 12 people across several Algerian provinces - [yle](https://yle.fi/a/74-20243126) — At Least 12 Dead in Algerian Wildfires - [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-906707) — At least 12 killed as wildfires rage across several Algerian provinces - [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84-72-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF-64-%D9%85%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-6-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D8%B2) — 12 People Killed by Forest Fires in Algeria (Videohat) - [France24](https://france24.com/fr/afrique/20260826-algerie-incendies-feux-de-foret-deux-morts-blesses-evacuations-bejaia-jijel) — In Algeria, Forest Fires Have Left Two Dead and Several Injured in the East of the Country. - [The Star Kuala Lumpur](https://thestar.com.my/news/world/2026/08/27/3-killed-in-wildfires-in-ne-algeria) — 3 killed in wildfires in NE Algeria - [Aydınlık](https://aydinlik.com.tr/haber/cezayirde-24-saatte-6-bolgede-72-orman-yangini-587899) — In Algeria, 72 Forest Fires Broke Out in 6 Regions in 24 Hours. - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/cezayir-de-37-yangina-mudahale-suruyor-20179319-haberi) — 58 Fires in Algeria: 21 Under Control. - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/algeria-contends-with-58-wildfires-amid-ongoing-heatwave/4038454) — Algeria contends with 58 wildfires amid ongoing heatwave - [Al-Shorouk](https://shorouknews.com/news/view.aspx?cdate=26082026&id=85872d42-aee6-4101-bd83-3726781b88fe) — Algeria Recorded 58 Fires From a Heat Wave in the Midst of Preventive Evacuations of the Population - Al-Sharq Gate ## Questions **How many people died in the Algerian wildfires?** At least 12 people have died in wildfires across several Algerian provinces. Some reports indicated three deaths and two injuries, while others consistently reported 12 fatalities. **How many wildfires broke out in Algeria?** Algeria recorded 58 separate wildfires across 16 provinces. Of these, 21 have been extinguished, while efforts continue to combat the remaining 37 active fires. **What caused the wildfires?** The wildfires are occurring amid a severe heatwave gripping North Africa, which has contributed to their spread. Authorities are battling the blazes with both ground and aerial resources. **Were any families evacuated?** Yes, several families were evacuated as a precautionary measure in Jijel province after wildfires approached residential areas. Similar evacuations were reported in El Tarf province. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/algeria-wildfires-kill-at-least-12-amid-heatwave. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Algeria wildfires kill at least 12 amid heatwave", https://mediabias.news/climate/algeria-wildfires-kill-at-least-12-amid-heatwave