Algerians Flee Wildfires in Country's Northeast

Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)
Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)
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Algerians Flee Wildfires in Country's Northeast

Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)
Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)

Algerian firefighters on Sunday were battling blazes in the northeastern Kabylie region as families were ordered to evacuate, local media and an AFP journalist said.

Residents were told to leave homes in the fire's path in Tizi Ouzou province, news site Ennahar Online reported quoting a forest official, though it was not immediately clear how many people were affected.

Numerous wildfires have broken out in Tizi Ouzou since Friday, though most of them have been brought under control or were expected to soon, said civil defence official Nassim Bernaoui.

"The situation is under control, but outbreaks of fire continue in hard-to-reach areas," he told AFP in the village of Ait Frah, south of Tizi Ouzou city.

The AFP journalist saw olive groves and fig orchards consumed by fires, as well as hen coops, beehives and some homes.

Authorities in Bejaia province, near Tizi Ouzou, ordered the evacuation of around 20 families from Mezouara village, which is located near a forest where blazes raged on Sunday.

Online videos showed a water bomber deployed to help contain the forest fire.

Wildfires are a common sight in summer in northern Algeria, increasingly exacerbated by drought and heatwaves scientists say are linked to climate change.

More than 30 people died in massive fires that ravaged Bejaia in July 2023, destroying thousands of acres of forests and agricultural lands as well as hundreds of homes.



Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Market Event to Support Local Farmers

Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Market Event to Support Local Farmers
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Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Market Event to Support Local Farmers

Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Market Event to Support Local Farmers

The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, will organize the Farmers Market event at Nakheel Avenue in Unaizah Governorate to support farmers and highlight the crops of the Qassim Region.

The event will take place from August 15 to 17 and August 22 to 24, and at the Aseeb Farm in Buraydah Governorate from August 29 to 31.
According to SPA, it will feature various accompanying events, including live music performances and entertainment for children.

There will also be a dedicated area for families working in the cottage industry to showcase the region's most prominent foods and drinks.
The commission seeks to promote local agricultural products and allow farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers.