Tunisia records 900 fires in 72-hour window during intense heatwave

NewsTunisia records 900 fires in 72-hour window during intense heatwaveCharred forestland following a fire, Ghar El Melh, Tunisia, 22 July 2026.   -   Copyright © africanews Anis Mili/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.By Rédaction Africanews with AFPLast updated: 25/07 - 09:44TunisiaAt least 900 fires broke out in Tunisia over a 72-hour period, a senior official said on Friday, as the country grapples with an intense heatwave. "These are not only forest fires but also brushland, crops, houses," said civil protection official Khalil Mechri, without offering details on the areas affected. He said most of the blazes recorded between 20 and 22 July had been extinguished, though two major ones were still raging.An Italian firefighting aircraft joined efforts Friday to contain the two wildfires, one of which is in the north-western region of Sakiet Sidi Youssef. "We requested international assistance, and at the moment one Italian plane and two Algerian planes are helping to put out the fire,” said Colonel-Major of Civil Protection, Seif Eddine Dekhlaoui. “The flames are still present. We hope that in the coming hours, the situation gets better, with wind speeds dropping and flames reducing on all fronts," he added. The outbreak of so many blazes has coincided with exceptional heat. Temperatures on Tuesday ranged between 40 and 49 degrees Celsius depending on the region, exceeding seasonal averages by 8 to 14 degrees. The country is also experiencing daily planned power cuts intended to ease pressure on the grid. The heatwave follows an especially rainy winter, and Mechri said an unusually high amount of dried-out plant cover had "contributed to the outbreak of fires". Tunisia's director general of forests, Mohamed Noufel Ben Haha, said around 4,400 hectares of forestland burned between 1 May and 23 July, compared with 2,705 during the same period last year. He blamed the fires mainly on negligence and criminal acts, in addition to the extreme heat.You may also likeHaiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 15 minutes ago01:14Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 27 minutes ago01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 49 minutes agoFrom the same country00:53Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:0501:52Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:0801:04Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45View moreShareMore About Tunisia Fire global warming Forest fires Forests HeatwaveYou may also likeHaiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 15 minutes ago01:14Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 27 minutes ago01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 49 minutes agoFrom the same country00:53Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:0501:52Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:0801:04Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45On the same subjectNEWS01:55Volunteers in Algeria moblise to support families displaced by wildfires 30/08 - 12:54NO COMMENT02:00Algeria’s north-east scorched by deadly wildfires, national mourning declared 28/08 - 19:35NEWS01:03Death toll from Algeria wildfires rises to 12, dozens injured 27/08 - 13:50NEWS02:20Alarm as bush fires ravage Burundi's Ruvubu National Park 23/08 - 15:53NO COMMENT00:59Hungary’s lakes and rivers hit record lows as severe drought deepens 21/08 - 12:54NO COMMENT01:00Rome’s Colosseum extends cool night tours as heatwaves scorch city 14/08 - 15:26More stories01:25General Abdourahamane TchianiCalm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago01:02CoupVote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago00:56United KingdomNotting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours agoRead the full article at Africanews