Algerian firefighters are currently fighting a severe and unusual wave of wildfires that have caused significant destruction across the country. The fires have spread across several provinces, creating a large area of burning land that stretches from the central regions to the far east. Civil Protection teams, supported by military units, have been working to control flare-ups in areas like Sétif and Guelma this week, where vast forest areas have been burned. The province of Jijel, located about 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of Algiers, has suffered the most damage. Known for its sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and forests of olive and fruit trees, Jijel has seen nearly 1,200 square kilometers (460 square miles) of its forests reduced to ashes and charred tree stumps. According to the Interior Ministry, 12 people have died in Jijel, but local reports and videos shared on social media suggest the death toll may be much higher, with many bodies being prepared for burial in mass graves. Lt. Djabri Said, a veteran of the Civil Protection service, described the situation as the worst he has encountered in his 40 years of experience. He called it a “human, environmental, and material catastrophe” with hundreds of people believed to have died. Families have been deeply affected, with one journalist, Abdelwahab Boukrouh, reporting that his family lost 12 members and had three others missing during the fire. Many villagers were caught off guard as the flames spread rapidly through their homes. In addition to the loss of human lives, thousands of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, mules, and donkeys, perished in the fires. Their remains are scattered along the steep paths leading to the villages, while homes have been completely destroyed, leaving only piles of smoldering ashes. State-controlled media have reported only 12 deaths in Jijel, focusing instead on the government's response, including the presence of ministers and the efforts of state institutions to assist the victims. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who had been on vacation, returned to Algiers to visit hospitals treating severely burned victims. He declared three days of national mourning and convened a special meeting of the Council of Ministers to declare Jijel a “disaster area” and allocate resources to address the crisis. In response to the tragedy, a wave of national solidarity has emerged, with numerous trucks carrying food, water, medicine, and clothing heading toward the affected villages. The government has pledged to compensate affected families and rebuild their homes, with a priority on restoring schools to ensure students can return for the start of the school year on September 21. President Tebboune has attributed the fires to climate-related factors, citing similar situations in other Mediterranean countries like France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat and drought, which can contribute to wildfires. However, Tebboune also mentioned “criminal hands” and announced ongoing investigations into those responsible. He has called for the death penalty for those found guilty and lifted the country’s moratorium on the death penalty, which had been in place since 1993. This move has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters of the president and Islamist parties have endorsed the decision, while groups advocating for democracy and human rights have criticized it as a step backward, calling it an attempt to avoid responsibility for the government’s poor management of the crisis.