🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
Algeria's Director General of Forests discusses causes of widespread fires
via Algérie3604 min read
Djamel Touahria, Director General of Forests, stated on Algerian Radio's "Dayf Essabah" program that while major fires across Algeria have been brought under control by Civil Protection and forest brigades, the danger has not completely passed. Teams remain deployed for intensive cooling operations to prevent reignition. The rapid spread of fires this season is attributed to a combination of natural and human factors. A dense vegetation cover, resulting from significant winter rainfall, created easily flammable dry matter as temperatures rose. High temperatures further dried out forest areas, and strong winds accelerated the flames' progression, making interventions difficult. The presence of dry grasses also exacerbated the spread. Touahria emphasized that human activity, particularly negligent behavior such as unsupervised fires and lack of clearing around homes and roads, is the primary cause of most fire outbreaks. He also mentioned criminal acts and some natural causes. Specialized teams are conducting technical investigations to determine the precise origins of fires, using methods to locate ignition points and establish circumstances, which will inform prevention measures and target high-risk areas. For rehabilitation, Touahria explained that some plant species regenerate naturally, while others will require reforestation after damage assessment. Prevention efforts include maintaining forest tracks, creating firebreaks, and monitoring water supply points. Forest servic
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