TUNIS, September 2, 2026: Severe wildfires have spread across Tunisia’s central Kairouan and northwestern Siliana provinces, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 families as strong winds rapidly pushed the flames toward residential areas.
According to Tunisia’s state news agency TAP, around 100 families were evacuated from the Kaitoun mountain area in the El Oueslatia district of Kairouan after the fire intensified.
The blaze initially broke out in the Bargou mountain area of Siliana before strong winds caused it to spread rapidly toward Kairouan. As the flames approached populated areas, local authorities evacuated families as a precaution and arranged temporary shelter for them at a school.
Jamal Al-Farchichi, regional commissioner for agricultural development in Siliana, said strong winds had caused a fire on Boulman Mountain to spread toward the Ain Bousadia area in Bargou district, near the border between Siliana and Kairouan.
Several families from the affected area were also evacuated and taken to summer camps and training centres for safety.
No deaths have been reported so far, according to local authorities.
Firefighting efforts are being conducted both on the ground and from the air. The military has deployed two aircraft to help battle the flames in difficult-to-access mountainous areas. Additional firefighting and rescue teams have also been dispatched from the provinces of Zaghouan, Kairouan and Kef.
Earlier on Sunday, another 10 families were evacuated to safer locations. During the operation, 18 people reportedly fell ill amid panic and heavy smoke and were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
The fires come as Tunisia faces an unprecedented heatwave. The Tunisian Observatory of Weather and Climate reported that temperatures in Kairouan reached a record 49.8 degrees Celsius.
Authorities and experts believe the extreme heat, combined with powerful winds, has created highly dangerous conditions for the rapid spread of wildfires across the affected regions.
Emergency teams remain on alert as firefighting operations continue in the mountainous areas, while authorities monitor the situation and prepare for further evacuations if necessary.