Tunisian wildfires expose failing infrastructure, community vulnerabilities
Summary
Wildfires have severely damaged parts of northern Tunisia during a summer heatwave, destroying farms, livestock, and trees. Firefighters fought nearly 600 fires in two days, but efforts were slowed by dry conditions and rough terrain.Key Facts
- The wildfires hit the mountainous Kef governorate near the Algerian border.
- A 70-year-old farmer named Mongi Abdeli lost sheep, beehives, and all his olive and almond trees.
- The fires started in June and peaked in mid-July during a heatwave with temperatures near 50°C (122°F).
- Firefighters responded to almost 600 fires within 48 hours during the worst period.
- The largest fires were in Kef, Beja, and Bizerte governorates, where mountains made fighting fires difficult.
- About 95% of the fires were caused by human actions or negligence, according to Civil Protection officials.
- Local families faced loss of livestock, homes, and food supplies, making their living conditions much harder.
- The country experienced electricity rationing during the fires due to high demand and an aging power grid.
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