Yahoo TV

The government has deployed the army to help fight the fires, which have burnt most fiercely in the mountainous Kabylie region, 28 of the dead are soldiers.

The worst hit area has been Tizi Ouzou where houses have burned and residents fled to shelter in hotels, hostels and university accommodation in nearby towns.

“We are watching the fire to try to prevent it from spreading further but it seems to be impossible,'' said Hakim Hadj who was among the many trying to battle the blaze.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning and froze state activities not related to the fires.