The canton which recorded the largest burned surface is Chaabet Said and a small part of canton Bou-Rhioul with 225 ha devastated by only one fire. In some places juniper is dominating. Come then cantons, Arrhas, Afghan, Chaabet Khrouf, Hadjar Labiod, Thniet Sefra, Oued-guebala, Grouve, Makhrouze with three fires each. Among them, the Oued-Guebala canton is most sensible. Within 21 years more than 72 ha have been affected by fires.
All reports are in agreement concerning species affected by fire.
Causes of Fires Vegetation fires are rarely ignited by natural causes. In Bou-Taleb, for instance, no single fire has been caused by lightning, the only possible natural fire cause. The statistical data for the 15-year period 1977 to 1991, for which we have almost complete information, show the importance of the unknown origin of fires. Ranking net are fires caused by carelessness, mainly by smokers who throw glowing cigarettes or matches which act as embers in the wind. Another underlying cause of fire are conflicts between residents and forest authorities.