What happens when space agencies, forest authorities, civil protection services, meteorologists, researchers and tech startups sit around the same table to talk about wildfire risk?
On 15 February 2026, in Algiers, that question became reality.
Our MedFireWise partner, the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) convened a national workshop that brought together the country’s key wildfire actors — not simply to review what exists, but to rethink how forest fire risk is managed in a changing climate.
The discussions made one thing clear: wildfire management can no longer rely on response alone. With rising temperatures, prolonged droughts and more extreme weather patterns, anticipation and prevention must become central.
From satellite-based monitoring and fire weather indices to machine learning risk mapping and AI-powered detection systems, the workshop showcased how Algeria is strengthening its technological backbone.
Institutions examined how legislation, coordination mechanisms, fuel management practices and field operations can work more coherently. The dialogue also highlighted the importance of supervised pastoralism and sustainable forest management as preventive levers — reinforcing that innovation does not only mean new technology, but also smarter use of existing practices.
One of the strongest outcomes of the day was a shared vision: the need for integrated systems. Participants stressed the importance of unified data platforms, stronger inter-institutional coordination, early warning mechanisms, and long-term community engagement.
The workshop demonstrated that resilience is not built by a single institution. It is built through alignment — between science and operations, technology and governance, prevention and response.
Through ASAL’s leadership, MedFireWise continues to connect national expertise with Mediterranean cooperation, strengthening wildfire resilience where it matters most: on the ground.
Last Update
20/02/2026
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