Algeria Wildfires: Scorching heat turn wildfires into infernos; Several lives lost I Oneindia News

Wildfires raging across Algeria have led to loss of 34 lives, including 10 soldiers trying to get the flames under control in the face of high winds and scorching summer temperatures.

About 8,000 firefighters are trying to bring the flames under control, authorities said, adding that about 1,500 people have been evacuated.

Outbreaks of 97 wildfires have been recorded across 16 provinces affecting forest, crops and farmland.

The temperature in several regions of Algeria have crossed 48 degree Celsius now.

Temperatures in several regions in North Africa are up to 7 degree Celsius higher than normal for this time of year.

Algeria's Meteorological Office has warned that temperatures of more than 48C are likely to continue until the end of the month in the north of the country.

The country’s interior ministry has said that operations are under way to put out fires in six provinces and it has asked people to “avoid areas affected by the fires” and to report new blazes on toll-free numbers.

Authorities said that 97 fires are burning, affecting forests and agricultural areas in 16 governorates on the country’s eastern coast.

In August last year, huge fires had killed 37 people in Algeria’s north-east El Tarf province.

The previous summer, 90 people were killed in such fires.

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