The General Directorate of Civil Protection launched a nationwide campaign this Tuesday to prevent agricultural harvest fires. This effort, part of its annual awareness program, targets several southern wilayas.
The official rollout happened at Timimoun’s Civil Protection Directorate, with agricultural stakeholders present. It builds on state initiatives to safeguard national farm assets—especially grain crops, vital for food security.
The drive covers Adrar, Timimoun, El Meniaa, In Salah, El Oued, Touggourt, Ouargla, and Ghardaïa, timed with the harvest-threshing season from late April into early May.
Civil Protection reports notable annual crop blazes causing heavy economic hits and yield drops. Data from the past three years shows most stem from avoidable issues, mainly ignored prevention steps.
Recurring triggers: poor upkeep of gear like combine harvesters; lacking or absent firefighting tools; insufficient water reserves near farms; limited grasp of quick-response tactics.
To counter these, the campaign deploys structured fieldwork—awareness caravans, info sessions, and hands-on workshops for farmers and operators. It pushes best prevention habits, early action skills, and wide safety messaging via media and channels.
Farmers are urged to adopt safe practices curbing fire starts and spreads. A dedicated ops setup rolls out for harvest season, prepositioning nearby response units with apt staff and kit for swift, effective hits to contain outbreaks and cut losses.
Civil Protection coordinates with farm services and locals on prevention boosts: farm tracks, firebreak strips around fields, water points near production zones.
The push aims to embed a prevention mindset, collective duty for crop safety, and national output protection.