Greenpeace warns renewed Algeria, Tunisia fires show climate costs hitting the region

Renewed wildfires in Algeria and Tunisia at the end of August have sharpened Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa’s warning that climate change is making fires more frequent, longer-lasting and harder to control. The group also tied the damage to massive fossil-fuel profits, arguing the financial burden is falling on communities, farmers and public budgets.

Why it matters: - Algeria and Tunisia are facing another round of wildfires just weeks after an earlier wave across North Africa. - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa says climate change is intensifying the conditions that help fires start, spread faster and burn longer. - The group argues the human and economic costs are landing on local communities, while fossil-fuel companies keep posting huge profits.

What happened: - Wildfires surged again in late August in Algeria and Tunisia. - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa said most forest fires begin with human activity, but hotter temperatures, lower humidity and deeper drought make ignition and spread more likely. - Kenzi Azmi, Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa’s regional campaigns lead, said communities in Algeria and Tunisia are facing fire risk again after only weeks. - Azmi said the region is going through a longer fire season that is putting pressure on people, civil protection teams, farmers and ecosystems.

The details: - In Algeria, the latest fires spread across a large number of provinces. - More than 170 fires were recorded in Algeria. - Initial figures indicate at least 73 deaths in Algeria. - Families were forced to evacuate homes under threat from the flames. - The fires destroyed or damaged homes, livelihoods and local communities. - In Tunisia, fires affected Jendouba, Beja and Siliana. - The Tunisian fires damaged homes, farm facilities, fruit trees and crops. - For many families in Tunisia, the damage meant losing a full season of income or years of work and stability. - Greenpeace MENA said five of the world’s largest oil companies — Shell, Chevron, Total, ExxonMobil and BP — made about $48 billion in profit between April and June 2026. - That profit equals more than half a billion dollars per day.

Between the lines: - The statement frames the fires as a climate justice issue, not only a disaster-response issue. - The contrast between wildfire losses and fossil-fuel profits is meant to underline who pays for climate disruption and who benefits from the system driving it. - The group’s message suggests fire seasons in North Africa are becoming a longer-term stress test for public services, rural livelihoods and ecosystems.

What's next: - More fire risk is likely if hot, dry conditions continue. - Greenpeace MENA is pressing the case that reducing fossil-fuel dependence is part of limiting future climate-driven damage. - The region’s recovery costs are likely to remain high as communities rebuild homes, farms and local infrastructure.

The bottom line: - Greenpeace says the region is seeing the real cost of climate change now, and that cost is being paid by people on the ground rather than by the fossil-fuel industry driving the crisis.