Moroccan firefighters and soldiers are trying Thursday to control at least four fires that are progressing in wooded areas in the north of the country. These forest fires, fanned by a strong wind, broke out in the northern provinces of Larache, Ouezzane, Tetouan and Taza.
Several douars had to be evacuated of their inhabitants and four Canadair water bombers of the army were operating Thursday followingnoon above the areas plagued by flames near Ksar El Kebir. “Efforts are continuing in the hope of bringing these fires under control in the coming hours,” said Fouad Assali, director of the Center for Forest Climate Risk Management (CRCF).
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A thousand hectares of forest have been ravaged since Wednesday evening in the provinces of Larache and Ouezzane, according to a provisional assessment. Hundreds of members of the Civil Protection, Waters and Forests, Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and Gendarmerie, assisted by the local authorities, are involved in the fight once morest fire.
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Morocco has been hit for several days by a heat wave, with temperatures approaching 45 degrees, in a context of extraordinary drought and water stress. On the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar, fires are raging in southern Europe, from Portugal to Greece, via Spain and France.