Algeria weather alert: Thunderstorms and strong winds forecast across several provinces from 3 p.m. Friday

Algeria is facing a day of sharply contrasting conditions: thunderstorms and sandstorms are forecast in several regions, while emergency services remain mobilized against vegetation fires across the country.

The National Office of Meteorology issued a level-one yellow alert for Friday. Storm activity was expected to begin at 3 p.m. and continue until midnight, although some areas could see conditions ease around 9 p.m. The warning covers Naâma, El Bayadh, Béchar, Ghardaïa, El Meniaa, Tamanrasset and In Guezzam.

A second bulletin warned of violent winds carrying sand, with visibility potentially falling substantially in Tamanrasset and In Guezzam. The sandstorms are expected during the same 3 p.m. to midnight period.

Civil Protection teams have also been working across the country to contain recent fires. They extinguished 26 of the 27 fires recorded in recent hours. The fires affected forest areas, farmland, palm groves and straw stocks. One blaze remained active Friday in the Charen Bian forest, in the commune of Boutaleb in Sétif province.

Four AT-802 firefighting aircraft and two BE-200 aircraft were deployed to support crews on the ground and help bring the remaining fire under control.