One dead as Algeria battles wildfires

ALGIERS: Wildfires burning across northern Algeria have killed a municipal worker who was taking part in firefighting, media reports said Wednesday. Local media quoted the mayor of Beni Mouhli, in Algeria’s Setif, as saying the 59-year-old died while helping emergency crews contain the fires. The civil defense has yet to confirm the death, but on Tuesday night it said one person with severe burns had been evacuated by helicopter, without identifying the victim. Wildfires fueled by a heatwave have been ravaging parts of the North African country for days.