Dozens of deadly fires devour Algeria’s northern forests

Smoke and fires threaten a village near Tizi Ouzou some 100 km (62 miles) east of Algiers following wildfires in this mountainous region, Tuesday, Aug.10, 2021. Firefighters were battling a rash of fires in northern Algeria that have killed at least six people in the mountainous Kabyle region, the interior minister said Tuesday, accusing “criminal hands” for some of the blazes. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

Firefighters and residents armed with simple tools are battling a rash of forest fires in northern Algeria that the nation’s interior minister said have killed at least six people in the mountainous Kabyle region.

Multiple fires are burning through forests and devouring the olive trees, cattle and chickens that provide the livelihoods of families.