Major Forest Fire Erupts in Morocco
(MENAFN) Moroccan authorities have been engaged in an ongoing effort since early Saturday to control a forest fire near the northern city of Tetouan, deploying both ground teams and aerial units to contain the blaze and stop its advance.
Fouad El Assali, director of Climate and Environmental Risks and Reforestation at the National Water and Forest Agency, confirmed the fire erupted Saturday morning in a wooded area near the town of Mellalyène, which falls under Tetouan's administrative jurisdiction.
Speaking to the national television website, El Assali stated that firefighting units are operating at full capacity, with support from four "Canadair" amphibious aircraft actively involved in dousing the flames.
He emphasized that it remains premature to determine the full extent of the fire's damage to the forest landscape.
Earlier this month, in mid-July, the National Water and Forest Agency had already issued warnings to residents in forest-adjacent regions across three northern provinces, urging heightened vigilance amid increased wildfire risk.
The agency called on the public to report any signs of smoke or suspicious activity without delay and refrain from actions that might ignite fires.
As part of its broader preparedness plan, authorities announced on May 16 a $17 million investment to strengthen wildfire response capabilities for the summer of 2025.
According to Abderrahim Houmy, director general of the National Water and Forest Agency, Morocco has recorded 382 wildfires so far in 2024—a significant 82% drop compared to the previous year.
He added that these fires have scorched approximately 874 hectares of vegetation, with nearly 45% of the burned area consisting of secondary grasses and seasonal plant growth.
Forests account for roughly 12% of Morocco’s total land area and are routinely exposed to seasonal wildfires, driven by climatic factors and human activity.
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