Morocco Loses Nearly 600 Hectares of Forest in Three Days Due to Wildfires

Morocco has battled three significant forest fires in as many days, resulting in the loss of nearly 600 hectares of woodland. The blazes primarily affected the provinces of Taroudant, Azilal, and Beni Mellal.

Intensive efforts by the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANWF), local authorities, the Royal Gendarmerie, auxiliary forces, the Royal Armed Forces, and local residents have yielded positive results. The fire in "Benaatar" in the Kasbah Tadla commune of Beni Mellal province is now 100% under control. Significant progress has also been made on the "Selmimet" forest fire in the Ounine commune of Taroudant province, reaching 80% control, and the "Infk" fire in the Afourar commune of Azilal province, at 70% control.

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The fire in Taroudant has reached 80% control, and it is no longer advancing into new areas. The remaining flames only involve areas that have already burned or are within the contained fire zone.

According to Samir Taberkant, head of the forest fires department at ANWF, the Taroudant fire, which began Wednesday, has consumed 403 hectares, including 14 hectares in the Ijoukak commune of Al Haouz province, where the fire was previously contained. He confirmed that this fire is no longer spreading, with remaining flames confined to already burned areas within the contained perimeter.

Taberkant also reported that the Beni Mellal fire, which started Thursday morning, destroyed 170 hectares of forest and an additional 30 to 40 hectares of agricultural land before being fully controlled. The fire in Azilal, which ignited Friday afternoon, affected 25 hectares, with control efforts ongoing. A total of 1,182 personnel were deployed across the three fires, supported by 8 Canadair aircraft.

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Control of the fire in Beni Mellal has been achieved 100% around noon today.