TUNIS – Firefighters have continued on Friday evening to combat two major wildfires in the Kef governorate, in north-western Tunisia, where flames have already ravaged hundreds of hectares of forest and vegetation cover, authorities indicated. The first fire is affecting Mount Touila, in the Nebeur delegation, while the second is ongoing at Mount Takrouna, in the Sakiet Sidi Youssef delegation, Head of the Operations and Monitoring Department at the National Office for Civil Protection (ONPC) Lieutenant-Colonel Khalil Mechri told TAP. Civil Protection teams, supported by 22 water tankers, are continuing their efforts to contain the two blazes. Equipment belonging to several ministries and local authorities has also been mobilised, he specified. The Ministry of Defence is providing aerial support through the deployment of its aircraft in the extinguishing operations. The Mount Touila fire broke out on July 22, while the Mount Takrouna fire has been ongoing since July 20. Since July 11, 92 forest fires have been recorded in Tunisia. All have been brought under control, with the exception of the two blazes still active in the Kef governorate, the official pointed out.The authorities have also reinforced intervention resources in the region by deploying fire trucks from other governorates.
An investigation was initiated to determine the causes of the fires, which occurred in a context of a severe heatwave and hot sirocco winds affecting several regions of the country.
The official called on citizens to respect prevention guidelines and to immediately report any outbreak of fire in order to limit the spread of the flames and protect the forest heritage.
Within the framework of international cooperation, a Canadair water-bombing aircraft belonging to the Italian Civil Protection is also participating in the extinguishing operations, according to an informed source at the Italian Embassy in Tunis.
