By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Algerians have decried lack of government support as the wildfires continue to ravage the country.
“We started raising funds and volunteering during the last COVID-19 wave, so a lot of organisational mechanisms were already in place to fight these fires,” said Mokrane Nessah, a 54-year-old coordinator for one of the charities on site.
According to the General Directorate of the Civil Protection (DGPC), there were 100 active fires in Algeria on Thursday and 38 of them were located in Tizi Ouzou.
As the first fires broke out on Monday, the conditions helped them spread rapidly.
Temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius (104F), nonstop 20kmph (12.4 miles per hour) gusts of wind fanned the flames, and forecasts in the Kabylie region suggested no rain was imminent.
However, if not for the activity around makeshift shelters, the city itself was eerily calm.
“The nearest fires are probably in Beni Douala,” a shopkeeper on the boulevard said, shaking his head.
“It is just a 20-minute drive into the hills from here. I have never seen anything like this.”
At least 69 people lost their lives this week, including 28 military personnel.
In the village of Beni Douala, amber smoke polluted a clear, blue sky, the smell of carbon and caramelised sap permeated the air, and particles of ash danced in the wind.
The centre of Beni Douala itself was untouched by the blaze, but nearly all of the adjacent villages were evacuated.
Many of those evacuated decried the lack of support from the government.
“Since yesterday, we have not seen a single police officer or gendarme!” a young volunteer named Fethi said, as he directed congested traffic in and out of the village.
“The only things we have seen are the helicopters above and firefighters, but no one came and instructed or helped us evacuate.”
As he spoke, semi-trucks equipped with giant metallic water tanks rumbled by, followed by pick-up trucks crammed with shovels and digging equipment.
