CAIRO, Egypt — July 25, 2026 – A catastrophic surge in wildfires has swept across Tunisia, with at least 900 fires reported to have erupted within a 72-hour window, spanning from July 20 to 22, 2026.
The relentless heatwave, with temperatures soaring between 40 and 49 degrees Celsius, has exacerbated the situation, far exceeding seasonal averages by 8 to 14 degrees.
The fires, which have affected not only forests but also brushland, crops, and homes, underscore the breadth of the disaster. Tunisian civil protection official Khalil Mechri highlighted the scale of the emergency, noting that most of the blazes had been extinguished, although two significant wildfires were still raging.
An Italian firefighting aircraft joined the efforts to contain the fires, with support from two Algerian planes. Colonel-Major of Civil Protection, Seif Eddine Dekhlaoui, expressed hope that the situation would improve with decreasing wind speeds and reduced flame intensity.
The outbreak of fires has coincided with a particularly dry season following an unusually rainy winter, which has led to a high amount of dried — out plant cover. Tunisia’s director general of forests, Mohamed Noufel Ben Haha, indicated that around 4,400 hectares of forestland were burned between May 1 and July 23, 2026, compared to 2,705 hectares during the same period last year.
The Tunisian government is under increased pressure to address the issue of forest fires, particularly as the country faces the dual challenges of climate change and economic difficulties.
As the situation unfolds, the next few years will be crucial in determining the country’s ability to recover and rebuild its natural resources.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
