At least 65 people, 28 of them soldiers deployed as relief firefighters, have been killed as dozens of wildfires raged for a second day in Algeria on Wednesday, state television reported.

"The death toll from the forest fires has climbed to 65 dead – 28 soldiers and 37 civilians – most of them in Tizi Ouzou district" east of the capital, it said. Another 12 soldiers were "in the hospital in critical condition," the report added.

Dozens of separate fires have raged through forest areas across northern Algeria since Monday night. Local media said 73 fires were reported in 13 provinces.

The authorities have urged residents affected by the fires to evacuate immediately and asked those living nearby to stay on high alert as the situation unfolds.

The country's interior department has voiced its suspicion that arsonists ignited the flames without providing concrete evidence. 

(With input from AFP)