Summary:

On 18 July 2023, fires started in western Tunisia as hot weather has kept the landscape dry and vulnerable to burning. Tunisia’s temperatures have been consistently warmer than average this year as much of the Mediterranean region is experiencing a heat wave.

The fire was concentrated in the Malloula forest area near Tabarka along Tunisia’s western border with Algeria. The Malloula border crossing was closed due to risks from the fire as travelers were redirected southward to the Babouche border crossing.

By 20 July, the fire had claimed nearly 500 hectares (1235 acres) of forest and resulted in the relocation of at least a dozen families. Multiple government agencies from across northwestern Tunisia, as well as military organizations, were cooperating to battle the fires.

Outlook:  

Tunisia is one of a number of countries that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with a particular spike in temperatures this year revealing susceptibility to poor agricultural harvests, water shortages, and fires.

The risk of fires will likely remain high as warm weather and water shortages continue. Dry landscapes will be particularly vulnerable to naturally occurring or human-caused fires which can be disruptive to transport, residences, and air quality.

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